Theory of 2 δ-kicked quantum rotors

Abstract

We examine the quantum dynamics of cold atoms subjected to pairs of closely spaced kicks from standing waves of light and find behavior quite unlike the well-studied quantum kicked rotor QKR. We show that the quantum phase space has a periodic, cellular structure arising from a unitary matrix with oscillating bandwidth. The corresponding eigenstates are exponentially localized, but scale with a fractional power L~ħ_(-0.75), in contrast to the QKR for which L~ħ_(-1). The effect of intercell (and intracell) transport is investigated by studying the spectral fluctuations with both periodic as well as “open” boundary conditions.