English

Disorder-induced broadening of quantum momentum distribution

Quantum Physics 2025-12-24 v1 Quantum Gases Statistical Mechanics

Abstract

We study the long-time behavior of a non-interacting two-dimensional quantum gas in a weak random potential with long-range correlations. Any peaked initial momentum distribution will eventually become isotropic and broaden due to scattering events with the random potential. We derive an expression for the long-time average of the momentum distribution and test it against computer simulations. We also discuss momentum isotropization and spatial diffusion.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2512.20170,
  title  = {Disorder-induced broadening of quantum momentum distribution},
  author = {Vili Heinonen and Jani Lukkarinen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2512.20170},
  year   = {2025}
}