Anderson localization of solitons

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that bright solitons in a disordered potential exhibit Anderson localization in their center-of-mass motion, with localization lengths potentially observable in experiments.

Contribution

It reveals that quantum motion of bright solitons can undergo Anderson localization in correlated disordered potentials, extending understanding of localization phenomena.

Findings

Solitons exhibit Anderson localization in disordered potentials.

Localization length can exceed soliton size and be experimentally observed.

Quantum motion of solitons is affected by spatially correlated disorder.

Abstract

At low temperature, a quasi-one-dimensional ensemble of atoms with attractive interaction forms a bright soliton. When exposed to a weak and smooth external potential, the shape of the soliton is hardly modified, but its center-of-mass motion is affected. We show that in a spatially correlated disordered potential, the quantum motion of a bright soliton displays Anderson localization. The localization length can be much larger than the soliton size and could be observed experimentally.