Localization by bichromatic potentials versus Anderson localization

Mathias Albert 1, Patricio Leboeuf 1

Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics 81 (2010) 013614

The one-dimensional propagation of waves in a bichromatic potential may be modeled by the Aubry-André Hamiltonian. The latter presents a delocalization-localization transition, which has been observed in recent experiments using ultracold atoms or light. It is shown here that, in contrast to Anderson localization, this transition has a classical origin, namely the localization mechanism is not due to a quantum suppression of a classically allowed transport process. Explicit comparisons with the Anderson model, as well as with experiments, are done.

  • 1. Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modèles Statistiques (LPTMS),
    CNRS : UMR8626 – Université Paris XI – Paris Sud
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