Short-time quantum correlations in the atom optics kicked rotor

Abstract

We experimentally verify the analytical expressions that exist for the diffusion rate in the quantum delta kicked rotor system for small numbers of kicks. We show development of diffusion resonances from two to five kicks, and of multiple resonances for high kick strengths. Furthermore, we show that, in contrast to classical predictions, the results are purely periodic in the kick period, and reproduce the predicted quantum- and diffusion resonances.