Geology

Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

Mathematics

Computer science

Uncorrelated

Acoustics

Quantum mechanics

Oceanography

Condensed matter physics

Telecommunications

Optical lattice

Statistical physics

Superfluidity

Lattice (music)

Quasiperiodic function

Particle (ecology)

Statistics

Physics

Physical Review Letters

A single-particle mobility edge (SPME) marks a critical energy separating extended from localized states in a quantum system. In one-dimensional systems with uncorrelated disorder, a SPME cannot exist, since all single-particle states localize for arbitrarily weak disorder strengths. However, in a quasiperiodic system, the localization transition can occur at a finite detuning strength and SPMEs become possible. In this Letter, we find experimental evidence for the existence of such a SPME in a one-dimensional quasiperiodic optical lattice. Specifically, we find a regime where extended and localized single-particle states coexist, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, which predict a SPME in this regime.

Single-Particle Mobility Edge in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Optical Lattice