Unpredictable condensate-depletion dynamics in one-dimensional power-law traps

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Atomic physics
• Condensed matter physics

Background:

• Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter formed by cooling bosons to near absolute zero.
• One-dimensional BECs exhibit unique quantum phenomena due to reduced dimensionality.
• Understanding BEC dynamics is crucial for quantum technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically explore the dynamic depletion of one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) driven by laser stirring.
• To investigate the influence of trapping geometry and interatomic interactions on depletion dynamics.
• To analyze the role of a time-modulated Gaussian potential (dimple) in inducing condensate depletion.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the multi-configurational time-dependent Hartree method for bosons (MCTDHB), a beyond mean-field approach.
• Simulating BECs in various trapping geometries, including general power-law traps.
• Modulating the depth of a negative Gaussian potential to excite and deplete the condensate.

Main Results:

• Condensate depletion dynamics were recorded as a function of time for different parameters.
• The study found that depletion details are unpredictable, depending on dimple depth, trap, and interactions.
• A significant observation was the frequent occurrence of plateaus in the depletion dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The interplay between trapping geometry, interactions, and laser stirring dictates BEC depletion.
• The MCTDHB method provides insights into beyond mean-field dynamics of driven BECs.
• The observed plateaus in depletion dynamics warrant further investigation for their physical implications.