Heuristic approach to BEC self-trapping in double wells beyond mean-field

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple semi-classical method to analyze Bose-Einstein condensate self-trapping in double wells, providing a practical approximation for population imbalance applicable to both mean-field and finite particle scenarios.

Contribution

It offers a new heuristic approach that simplifies the analysis of BEC self-trapping beyond traditional mean-field models.

Findings

Derived a closed-form approximation for time-averaged population imbalance.

Validated the approximation for both mean-field and finite particle cases.

Provided insights into the dynamics of BEC in double well traps.

Abstract

We present a technically simple treatment of self-trapping of Bose-Einstein condensates in double well traps based on intuitive semi-classical approximations. Our analysis finally leads to a convenient closed form approximation for the time-averaged population imbalance valid in both the mean-field case and in the case of finite particle numbers for short times.