Two-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate under pressure

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that in a two-dimensional ideal Bose gas confined in a square box, a discrete phase transition occurs at finite particle numbers, leading to supercooling, superheating, and a first-order Bose-Einstein condensation.

Contribution

It rigorously revisits Bose-Einstein condensation in 2D, revealing a discrete phase transition and thermodynamic instability at finite particle numbers, challenging traditional no-go theorems.

Findings

Thermodynamic instability appears for N ≥ 35131 particles.

Bose-Einstein condensation can persist from zero to superheating temperature.

Condensation involves discrete changes in density in position and momentum spaces.

Abstract

Evading the Mermin-Wagner-Hohenberg no-go theorem and revisiting with rigor the ideal Bose gas confined in a square box, we explore a discrete phase transition in two spatial dimensions. Through both analytic and numerical methods we verify that thermodynamic instability emerges if the number of particles is sufficiently yet finitely large: specifically $N\geq 35131$. The instability implies that the isobar of the gas zigzags on the temperature-volume plane, featuring supercooling and superheating phenomena. The Bose-Einstein condensation then can persist from absolute zero to the superheating temperature. Without necessarily taking the large $N$ limit, under constant pressure condition, the condensation takes place discretely both in the momentum and in the position spaces. Our result is applicable to a harmonic trap. We assert that experimentally observed Bose-Einstein condensations of harmonically trapped atomic gases are a first-order phase transition which involves a discrete change of the density at the center of the trap.