Weak dynamical localization in periodically kicked cold atomic gases

TL;DR

This paper investigates the weak dynamical localization in cold atomic gases subjected to periodic kicks, focusing on the Ehrenfest time scale and predicting a delay in localization onset that can be experimentally tested.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative analysis of the delay in dynamical localization onset due to Ehrenfest time effects in cold atomic gases.

Findings

Localization delay is approximately four Ehrenfest times.

Ehrenfest time scales logarithmically with Planck's constant.

Predictions are made for experimental verification.

Abstract

Quantum kicked rotor was recently realized in experiments with cold atomic gases and standing optical waves. As predicted, it exhibits dynamical localization in the momentum space. Here we consider the weak localization regime concentrating on the Ehrenfest time scale. The later accounts for the spread-time of a minimal wavepacket and is proportional to the logarithm of the Planck constant. We show that the onset of the dynamical localization is essentially delayed by four Ehrenfest times and give quantitative predictions suitable for an experimental verification.