arXiv subjects

Pascal Szriftgiser

Publications and source records attributed to Pascal Szriftgiser.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Controlling symmetry and localization with an artificial gauge field in a disordered quantum system

Anderson localization, the absence of diffusion in disordered media, draws its origins from the destructive interference between multiple scattering paths. The localization properties of disordered systems are expected to be dramatically sensitive to their symmetry characteristics. So far however, this question has been little explored experimentally. Here, we investigate the realization of an artificial gauge field in a synthetic (temporal) dimension of a disordered, periodically-driven (Floquet) quantum system. Tuning the strength of this gauge field allows us to control the time-reversal symmetry properties of the system, which we probe through the experimental observation of three symmetry-sensitive `smoking-gun' signatures of localization. The first two are the coherent backscattering, marker of weak localization, and the coherent forward scattering, genuine interferential signature of Anderson localization, observed here for the first time. The third is the direct measurement of the $β(g)$ scaling function in two different symmetry classes, allowing to demonstrate its universality and the one-parameter scaling hypothesis.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Experimental Observation of Two-Dimensional Anderson Localization with the Atomic Kicked Rotor

Dimension 2 is expected to be the lower critical dimension for Anderson localization in a time reversal-invariant disordered quantum system. Using an atomic quasiperiodic kicked rotor -- equivalent to a two-dimensional Anderson-like model -- we experimentally study Anderson localization in dimension 2 and we observe localized wavefunction dynamics. We also show that the localization length depends exponentially on the disorder strength and anisotropy and is in quantitative agreement with the predictions of the self-consistent theory for the 2D Anderson localization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Return to the Origin as a Probe of Atomic Phase Coherence

We report on the observation of the coherent enhancement of the return probability ("enhanced return to the origin" , ERO) in a periodically kicked cold-atom gas. By submitting an atomic wave packet to a pulsed, periodically shifted laser standing wave, we induce an oscillation of ERO in time and explain it in terms of a periodic, reversible dephasing in the weak-localization interference sequences responsible for ERO. Monitoring the temporal decay of ERO, we exploit its quantum coherent nature to quantify the decoherence rate of the atomic system.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2013

Phase diagram of the Anderson transition with atomic matter waves

We realize experimentally a cold atom system equivalent to the 3D Anderson model of disordered solids where the anisotropy can be controlled by adjusting an experimentally accessible parameter. This allows us to study experimentally the disorder vs anisotropy phase diagram of the Anderson metal-insulator transition. Numerical and experimental data compare very well with each other and a theoretical analysis based on the self-consistent theory of localization correctly discribes the observed behavior, illustrating the flexibility of cold atom experiments for the study of transport phenomena in complex quantum systems.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2011

Experimental Test of Universality of the Anderson Transition

We experimentally test the universality of the Anderson three dimensional metal-insulator transition. Nine sets of parameters controlling the microscopic details of this second order phase transition have been tested. The corresponding critical exponents are independent (within $2σ$) of these microscopic details, and the average value $1.63\pm0.05$ is in very good agreement with the numerically predicted value, $ν= 1.58$.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Atomic Dipole Traps with Amplified Spontaneous Emission: A Proposal

We propose what we believe to be a novel type of optical source for ultra-cold atomic Far Off-Resonance optical-dipole Traps (FORTs). The source is based on an Erbium Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) source that seeds a high power Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA). The main interest of this source is its very low coherence length, thus allowing an incoherent superposition of several trapping beams without any optical interference. The behavior of the superimposed beams is then a scalar sum greatly simplifying complex configurations. As an illustration, we report an estimation of the intensity noise of this source and an estimation of the atomic excess heating rate for an evaporative cooling experiment application. They are both found to be suitable for cold atoms experiments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Between a metal and an insulator: the critical state of the Anderson transition

Using a three-frequency one-dimensional kicked rotor experimentally realized with a cold atomic gas, we study the transport properties at the critical point of the metal-insulator Anderson transition. We accurately measure the time-evolution of an initially localized wavepacket and show that it displays at the critical point a scaling invariance characteristic of this second-order phase transition. The shape of the momentum distribution at the critical point is found to be in excellent agreement with the analytical form deduced from self-consistent theory of localization.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2010

Classical diffusive dynamics for the quasiperiodic kicked rotor

We study the classical dynamics of a quasiperiodic kicked rotor, whose quantum counterpart is known to be an equivalent of the 3D Anderson model. Using this correspondence allowed for a recent experimental observation of the Anderson transition with atomic matter waves. In such a context, it is particularly important to assert the chaotic character of the classical dynamics of this system. We show here that it is a 3D anisotropic diffusion. Our simple analytical predictions for the associated diffusion tensor are found in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2009

Observation of the Anderson Metal-Insulator Transition with Atomic Matter Waves: Theory and Experiment

Using a cold atomic gas exposed to laser pulses -- a realization of the chaotic quasiperiodic kicked rotor with three incommensurate frequencies -- we study experimentally and theoretically the Anderson metal-insulator transition in three dimensions. Sensitive measurements of the atomic wavefunction and the use of finite-size scaling techniques make it possible to unambiguously demonstrate the existence of a quantum phase transition and to measure its critical exponents. By taking proper account of systematic corrections to one-parameter scaling, we show the universality of the critical exponent $ν=1.59\pm0.01,$ which is found to be equal to the one previously computed for the Anderson model.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Experimental observation of the Anderson transition with atomic matter waves

We realize experimentally an atom-optics quantum chaotic system, the quasiperiodic kicked rotor, which is equivalent to a 3D disordered system, that allow us to demonstrate the Anderson metal-insulator transition. Sensitive measurements of the atomic wavefunction dynamics and the use of finite-size scaling techniques make it possible to extract both the critical parameters and the critical exponent of the transition, which is in good agreement with the value obtained in numerical simulations of the 3D Anderson model.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Improving Raman velocimetry of laser-cooled cesium atoms by spin-polarization

We study the peformances of Raman velocimetry applied to laser-cooled, spin-polarized, cesium atoms. Atoms are optically pumped into the F=4, m=0 ground-state Zeeman sublevel, which is insensitive to magnetic perturbations. High resolution Raman stimulated spectroscopy is shown to produce Fourier-limited lines, allowing, in realistic experimental conditions, atomic velocity selection to one-fiftieth of a recoil velocity.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Quantum scaling laws in the onset of dynamical delocalization

We study the destruction of dynamical localization, experimentally observed in an atomic realization of the kicked rotor, by a deterministic Hamiltonian perturbation, with a temporal periodicity incommensurate with the principal driving. We show that the destruction is gradual, with well defined scaling laws for the various classical and quantum parameters, in sharp contrast with predictions based on the analogy with Anderson localization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Reversible Destruction of Dynamical Localization

Dynamical localization is a localization phenomenon taking place, for example, in the quantum periodically-driven kicked rotor. It is due to subtle quantum destructive interferences and is thus of intrinsic quantum origin. It has been shown that deviation from strict periodicity in the driving rapidly destroys dynamical localization. We report experimental results showing that this destruction is partially reversible when the deterministic perturbation that destroyed it is slowly reversed. We also provide an explanation for the partial character of the reversibility.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2004

Quantum diffusion in the quasiperiodic kicked rotor

We study the mechanisms responsible for quantum diffusion in the quasiperiodic kicked rotor. We report experimental measurements of the diffusion constant on the atomic version of the system and develop a theoretical approach (based on the Floquet theorem) explaining the observations, especially the ``sub-Fourier'' character of the resonances observed in the vicinity of exact periodicity, i.e. the ability of the system to distinguish two neighboring driving frequencies in a time shorter than the inverse of the difference of the two frequencies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Mechanism and Lineshapes of Sub-Fourier Resonances

Subtle internal interference effects allow quantum-chaotic systems to display "sub-Fourier" resonances, i.e. to distinguish two neighboring driving frequencies in a time shorter than the inverse of the difference of the two frequencies. We report experiments on the atomic version of the kicked rotor showing the unusual properties of the sub-Fourier resonances, and develop a theoretical approach (based on the Floquet theorem) explaining these properties, and correctly predicting the widths and lineshapes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Observation of sub-Fourier resonances in a quantum-chaotic system

We experimentally show that the response of a quantum-chaotic system can display resonance lines sharper than the inverse of the excitation duration. This allows us to discriminate two neighboring frequencies with a resolution nearly 40 times better than the limit set by the Fourier inequality. Furthermore, numerical studies indicate that there is no limit, but the loss of signal, to this resolution, opening ways for the development of sub-Fourier quantum-chaotic signal processing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Experimental evidence of dynamical localization and delocalization in a quasi-periodic driven system

This paper presents the first experimental evidence of the transition from dynamical localization to delocalization under the influence of a quasi-periodic driving on a quantum system. A quantum kicked rotator is realized by placing cold atoms in a pulsed, far-detuned, standing wave. If the standing wave is periodically pulsed, one observes the suppression of the classical chaotic diffusion, i.e. dynamical localization. If the standing wave is pulsed quasi-periodically with two different frequencies, dynamical localization is observed or not, depending on the two frequencies being commensurable or incommensurable. One can thus study the transition from the localized to the delocalized case as a function of the effective dimensionality of the system.

physics.atom-ph↗