Wannier-Stark ladder in the linear absorption of a random system with scale-free disorder

Abstract

We study numerically the linear optical response of a quasiparticle moving on a one-dimensional disordered lattice in the presence of a linear bias. The random site potential is assumed to be long-range correlated with a power-law spectral density S(k)∼1/kα, α>0. This type of correlation results in a phase of extended states at the band center, provided α is larger than a critical value αc. The width of the delocalized phase can be tested by applying an external electric field: Bloch-like oscillations of a quasiparticle wave packet are governed by the two mobility edges, playing now the role of band edges. We demonstrate that the frequency-domain counterpart of these oscillations, the so-called Wannier-Stark ladder, also arises in this system. When the phase of extended states emerges in the system, this ladder turns out to be a comb of doublets, for some range of disorder strength and bias. Linear optical absorption provides a tool to detect this level structure. © 2006 The American Physical Society.