Stability of nonstationary states of spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the stability of nonstationary spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensate states, revealing their stability in zero magnetic field and instability under finite magnetic fields, with controllable growth of instabilities.

Contribution

It provides an analytical study of the stability of specific nonstationary states in spin-2 BECs and how magnetic fields influence their stability.

Findings

States are stable without magnetic field

Finite magnetic fields induce instabilities

Growth rate and wavelength are tunable by magnetic field and condensate size

Abstract

The dynamical stability of nonstationary states of homogeneous spin-2 rubidium Bose-Einstein condensates is studied. The states considered are such that the spin vector remains parallel to the magnetic field throughout the time evolution, making it possible to study the stability analytically. These states are shown to be stable in the absence of an external magnetic field, but they become unstable when a finite magnetic field is introduced. It is found that the growth rate and wavelength of the instabilities can be controlled by tuning the strength of the magnetic field and the size of the condensate.