Using analytical and numerical methods, it is shown that the momentum distribution of a
matter wave packet launched in a random potential exhibits a pronounced coherent
backscattering (CBS) peak. By analyzing the momentum distribution, key transport times can
be directly measured. The CBS peak can be used to prove that transport occurs in the phase-
coherent regime, and measuring its time dependence permits monitoring the transition from
classical diffusion to Anderson localization.

… • source of plane matter waves … • Using analytical and numerical methods, we have
shown that the momentum distribution of matter wave packet launched in a random
potential exhibits a pronounced CBS peak • By analyzing the momentum distribution, key
transport times can be directly measured …