Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Quasicrystal Lattices

TL;DR

This paper investigates the behavior of Bose-Einstein condensates in 2D optical quasicrystal lattices, revealing long-range order, localization effects, and the transition between diffusive and localized regimes.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of quasi-periodic order, localization phenomena, and the effects of interactions in Bose-Einstein condensates within optical quasicrystals, an area with limited prior exploration.

Findings

Observation of quasi-periodic long-range order via interference patterns

Demonstration of localization effects due to quasi-disorder

Analysis of the crossover from diffusive to localized regimes

Abstract

We analyze the physics of Bose-Einstein condensates confined in 2D quasi-periodic optical lattices, which offer an intermediate situation between ordered and disordered systems. First, we analyze the time-of-flight interference pattern that reveals quasi-periodic long-range order. Second, we demonstrate localization effects associated with quasi-disorder as well as quasiperiodic Bloch oscillations associated with the extended nature of the wavefunction of a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical quasicrystal. In addition, we discuss in detail the crossover between diffusive and localized regimes when the quasi-periodic potential is switched on, as well as the effects of interactions.