Work

Boomerang effect in classical stochastic models

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The phenomenon of Anderson localization, occurring in a disordered medium, significantly influences the dynamics of quantum particles. A fascinating manifestation of this is the "quantum boomerang effect" (QBE), observed when a quantum particle, propelled with a finite initial velocity, reverses its average trajectory, eventually halting at its starting point. This effect has recently been demonstrated in an experiment replicating the quantum kicked-rotor model. This research delves into the classical analog of QBE. We uncover evidence of a similar effect in classical systems, characterized by the absence of typical diffusion processes. Our investigation encompasses both simplified probabilistic models and more complex phenomenological models that link classical with quantum mechanics. The results indicate that the boomerang effect is not confined to the quantum realm and may also be present in diverse systems exhibiting subdiffusive behavior.

Source: Physical review. E

DOI: 10.1103/physreve.111.024104

Authors: Santiago Zamora, Lisan M. M. Durão, Flavio Noronha, Tommaso Macrì

Institutions: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Utrecht University, Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian

Language: English

Topic: Quantum chaos and dynamical systems

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green