Collapse times of dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper studies the collapse dynamics of dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates using semi-analytical models and numerical simulations, revealing anisotropic collapse behavior influenced by dipolar interactions.

Contribution

It compares semi-analytical approaches with numerical simulations to accurately predict collapse times and analyze anisotropic effects in dipolar BECs.

Findings

Semi-analytical models predict collapse times with varying accuracy.

Numerical simulations confirm anisotropic collapse predominantly perpendicular to polarization axis.

Validity regimes for Gaussian and Thomas-Fermi models are established.

Abstract

We investigate the time taken for global collapse by a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate. Two semi-analytical approaches and exact numerical integration of the mean-field dynamics are considered. The semi-analytical approaches are based on a Gaussian ansatz and a Thomas-Fermi solution for the shape of the condensate. The regimes of validity for these two approaches are determined, and their predictions for the collapse time revealed and compared with numerical simulations. The dipolar interactions introduce anisotropy into the collapse dynamics and predominantly lead to collapse in the plane perpendicular to the axis of polarization.