We simulate numerically the free expansion of a repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate with an initially Gaussian density profile. We find a self-similar expansion only for weak interatomic repulsion. In contrast, for strong repulsion we observe the spontaneous formation of a shock wave at the surface followed by a significant depletion inside the cloud. In the expansion, contrary to the case of a classical viscous gas, the quantum fluid can generate radial rarefaction density waves with several minima and maxima. These intriguing nonlinear effects, never observed in free-expansion experiments with ultracold alkali-metal atoms, can be detected with the available setups.
Self-induced density modulations in the free expansion of Bose-Einstein condensates / L. Salasnich, N. Manini, F. Bonelli, M. Korbman, A. Parola. - In: PHYSICAL REVIEW A. - ISSN 1050-2947. - 75:4(2007), pp. 043616.043616.1-043616.043616.5. [10.1103/PhysRevA.75.043616]
Self-induced density modulations in the free expansion of Bose-Einstein condensates
N. ManiniSecondo
;
2007
Abstract
We simulate numerically the free expansion of a repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate with an initially Gaussian density profile. We find a self-similar expansion only for weak interatomic repulsion. In contrast, for strong repulsion we observe the spontaneous formation of a shock wave at the surface followed by a significant depletion inside the cloud. In the expansion, contrary to the case of a classical viscous gas, the quantum fluid can generate radial rarefaction density waves with several minima and maxima. These intriguing nonlinear effects, never observed in free-expansion experiments with ultracold alkali-metal atoms, can be detected with the available setups.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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