Finite-size and confinement effects in spin-polarized trapped Fermi gases

TL;DR

This paper investigates how finite particle numbers and trap geometries influence the phase structure and critical polarization in spin-polarized trapped Fermi gases, addressing experimental discrepancies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed calculation of the energy of a resonantly interacting fermion in asymmetric traps, highlighting finite-size and confinement effects.

Findings

Finite particle numbers affect phase transitions.

Trap geometry influences critical polarization.

Finite-size effects help explain experimental discrepancies.

Abstract

We calculate the energy of a single fermion interacting resonantly with a Fermi sea of different-species fermions in asymmetric traps, and show that finite particle numbers and the trap geometry impact the phase structure and the critical polarization. Our findings contribute to understanding some experimental discrepancies in spin-polarized Fermi gases as finite-size and confinement effects.