Effects of Interactions on Bose-Einstein Condensation

TL;DR

This paper explores how inter-particle interactions influence Bose-Einstein condensation, combining theoretical insights with recent experimental results on ultracold atomic gases.

Contribution

It reviews the theoretical framework and discusses recent experimental findings on the effects of interactions on Bose-Einstein condensation.

Findings

Interactions modify the ideal Bose-Einstein condensation process.

Recent measurements provide insights into interaction effects.

Theoretical models are compared with experimental data.

Abstract

Bose-Einstein condensation is a unique phase transition in that it is not driven by inter-particle interactions, but can theoretically occur in an ideal gas, purely as a consequence of quantum statistics. This chapter addresses the question \emph{`How is this ideal Bose gas condensation modified in the presence of interactions between the particles?' } This seemingly simple question turns out to be surprisingly difficult to answer. Here we outline the theoretical background to this question and discuss some recent measurements on ultracold atomic Bose gases that have sought to provide some answers.