Observation of Interaction-Induced Mobility Edge in an Atomic Aubry-Andre Wire

A mobility edge, a critical energy separating localized and extended excitations, is a key concept for understanding quantum localization. The Aubry-Andre (AA) model, a paradigm for exploring quantum localization, does not naturally allow mobility edges due to self-duality. Using the momentum-state lattice of quantum gas of Cs atoms to synthesize a nonlinear AA model, we provide experimental evidence for a mobility edge induced by interactions. By identifying the extended-to-localized transition of different energy eigenstates, we construct a mobility-edge phase diagram. The location of a mobility edge in the low- or high-energy region is tunable via repulsive or attractive interactions. Our observation is in good agreement with the theory and supports an interpretation of such interaction-induced mobility edge via a generalized AA model. Our Letter also offers new possibilities to engineer quantum transport and phase transitions in disordered systems.

Automated summary

In this study, we experimentally demonstrated the existence of a mobility edge induced by interactions through the synthesis of a nonlinear AA model. We constructed a phase diagram to characterize the extended-to-localized transition of different energy eigenstates. Our findings support the interpretation of the interaction-induced mobility edge using a generalized AA model and offer new possibilities for engineering quantum transport and phase transitions in disordered systems.