Two interacting particles in a disordered chain III: Dynamical aspects of the interplay disorder-interaction

TL;DR

This paper investigates how local interactions influence quantum localization and delocalization in a disordered two-particle system, revealing a two-stage localization process and slow delocalization characterized by logarithmic spreading.

Contribution

It demonstrates the interplay between disorder-induced localization and interaction-induced delocalization, highlighting a slow, logarithmic spreading and the absence of quantum chaos in this one-dimensional model.

Findings

Localization occurs in two steps with initial slowdown and subsequent slow delocalization

Interaction induces a logarithmic spreading of the center of mass over time

The system exhibits critical spectral statistics and invariance under duality transformation

Abstract

The interplay between the quantum interferences responsible for one particle localization over a length L_1, and the partial dephasing induced by a local interaction of strength U with another particle leading to partial delocalization over a length L_2 > L_1, is illustrated by a study of the motion of two particles put close to each other at the initial time. Localization is reached in two steps. First, before the time t_1 necessary to propagate over L_1, the interaction slows down the ballistic motion. On the contrary, after t_1 the interaction favors a very slow delocalization, characterized by a $\log(t)$ spreading of the center of mass, until L_2 is reached. This slow motion is related to the absence of quantum chaos in this one dimensional model, the interaction being only able to induce weaker chaos with critical spectral statistics. Under appropriate initial conditions, the motion remains invariant under the duality transformation mapping the behavior at small U onto the behavior at large U.