Observation of the Quantum Boomerang Effect

Abstract

A particle in an Anderson-localized system, if launched in any direction, should, on average, return to its starting point and stay there. Despite the central role played by Anderson localization in the modern understanding of condensed matter, this “quantum boomerang” effect, an essential feature of the localized state, was only recently theoretically predicted. We report the experimental observation of the quantum boomerang effect. Using a degenerate gas and a phase-shifted pair of optical lattices, we not only confirm the predicted dependence of the boomerang effect on Floquet gauge but also elucidate the crucial role of initial-state symmetries. Highlighting the key role of localization, we observe that as stochastic kicking destroys dynamical localization, the quantum boomerang effect also disappears. Measured dynamics are in agreement with numerical models and with predictions of an analytical theory we present which clarifies the connection between time-reversal symmetry and boomerang dynamics. These results showcase a unique experimental probe of the underlying quantum nature of Anderson localized matter.