2000 character limit reached
Quantum phase transitions in the quasi-periodic kicked rotor (1101.3206v1)
Published 17 Jan 2011 in nlin.CD and cond-mat.mes-hall
Abstract: We present a microscopic theory of transport in quasi-periodically driven environments (kicked rotors'), as realized in recent atom optic experiments. We find that the behavior of these systems depends sensitively on the value of Planck's constant $\tilde h$: for irrational values of $\tilde h/(4\pi)$ they fall into the universality class of disordered electronic systems and we derive the microscopic theory of the ensuing localization phenomena. In contrast, for rational values the rotor-Anderson insulator acquires an infinite (static) conductivity and turns into a
super-metal'. Signatures of the corresponding metal/super-metal transition are discussed.