We study the time evolution of an atomic wave-packet in a 1D quasi-periodic potential by numerically solving a discrete non-linear Schrödinger equation. The results are compared with those obtained for non-interacting particles. In particular we consider the problem of the interplay between Anderson localization and interaction. For the shape of the initial wave-packet we use both a wavefunction completely localized in a single lattice site and a broader wavefunction having Gaussian envelope. In both cases, there are evidences of a destruction of the localization by the interaction between atoms. We discuss also the connection between our results and current experiments with ultracold atoms in bichromatic lattices.

Effects of interaction on the localization of ultracold atoms in a one-dimensional quasi-periodic potential

We study the time evolution of an atomic wave-packet in a 1D sinusoidal quasi-periodic potential by numerically solving a discrete non-linear Schroedinger equation. The results are compared with those obtained for noninteracting particles. For the shape of the initial wave-packet we use both a wavefunction completely localized in a single lattice site and a broader wavefunction having Gaussian envelope. In both cases, there are evidences of a destruction of the localization by the interaction between atoms. In particular, a repulsive interaction causes a broadening of the crossover between extended and exponentially localized states and an upward shift of the strength of the disorder needed to localize the atoms. We discuss also the connections between our results and current experiments with ultracold atoms in bichromatic lattices.