Fractal Universality in Near-Threshold Magnetic Lanthanide Dimers

TitleFractal Universality in Near-Threshold Magnetic Lanthanide Dimers
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsMakrides, C, Li, M, Tiesinga, E, Kotochigova, S
JournalScience Advances
Volume4
Issue2
Pageseaap8308
Date Published2018/02/16
Abstract

Ergodic quantum systems are often quite alike, whereas nonergodic, fractal systems are unique and display characteristic properties. We explore one of these fractal systems, weakly bound dysprosium lanthanide molecules, in an external magnetic field. As recently shown, colliding ultracold magnetic dysprosium atoms display a soft chaotic behavior with a small degree of disorder. We broaden this classification by investigating the generalized inverse participation ratio and fractal dimensions for large sets of molecular wave functions. Our exact close-coupling simulations reveal a dynamic phase transition from partially localized states to totally delocalized states and universality in its distribution by increasing the magnetic field strength to only a hundred Gauss (or 10 mT). Finally, we prove the existence of nonergodic delocalized phase in the system and explain the violation of ergodicity by strong coupling between near-threshold molecular states and the nearby continuum.

URLhttps://arxiv.org/abs/1802.09586
DOI10.1126/sciadv.aap8308