Quantum boomerang effect in systems without time reversal symmetry

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the quantum boomerang effect can occur in Anderson localized systems without time reversal symmetry, challenging previous assumptions about the necessary conditions for this phenomenon.

Contribution

The study shows that the quantum boomerang effect does not require time reversal invariance, expanding understanding of symmetry conditions in quantum localization phenomena.

Findings

Quantum boomerang effect occurs without time reversal symmetry.

Spin-orbit coupling breaks time reversal invariance.

The effect persists in one-dimensional localized systems.

Abstract

In an Anderson localized system, a quantum particle with a nonzero initial velocity returns, on average, to its origin. This recently discovered behavior is known as the quantum boomerang effect. Time reversal invariance was initially thought to be a necessary condition for the existence of this phenomenon. We theoretically analyze the impact of the symmetry breaking on the phenomenon using a one-dimensional system with a spin-orbit coupling and show that the time reversal invariance is not necessary for the boomerang effect to occur.