Quantum Hyperdiffusion in One-Dimensional Tight-Binding Lattices

Zhenjun Zhang, Peiqing Tong, Jiangbin Gong, and Baowen Li

Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 070603 – Published 15 February 2012

Abstract

Transient quantum hyperdiffusion, namely, faster-than-ballistic wave packet spreading for a certain time scale, is found to be a typical feature in tight-binding lattices if a sublattice with on-site potential is embedded in a uniform lattice without on-site potential. The strength of the sublattice on-site potential, which can be periodic, disordered, or quasiperiodic, must be below certain threshold values for quantum hyperdiffusion to occur. This is explained by an energy band mismatch between the sublattice and the rest uniform lattice and by the structure of the underlying eigenstates. Cases with a quasiperiodic sublattice can yield remarkable hyperdiffusion exponents that are beyond three. A phenomenological explanation of hyperdiffusion exponents is also discussed.

Received 26 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.070603

Authors & Affiliations

Zhenjun Zhang¹, Peiqing Tong^1,*, Jiangbin Gong^2,3, and Baowen Li^2,3,4

¹Department of Physics and Institute of Theoretical Physics, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210046, People’s Republic of China
²Department of Physics and Centre for Computational Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Republic of Singapore
³NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore 117597, Republic of Singapore
⁴Centre for Phononics and Thermal Energy Science, Department of Physics, Tongji University, 200039, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

^*Corresponding author. pqtong@njnu.edu.cn

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Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 7 — 17 February 2012

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