Harmonically Trapped Four-Boson System

TL;DR

This paper investigates the low-energy spectrum of four identical bosons in a harmonic trap with attractive two-body and repulsive three-body interactions, classifying states by universality and connecting to zero-range models.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the spectrum and structural properties of a four-boson system with specific interactions, including classification of states and connections to zero-range models.

Findings

Identification of the lowest-lying 'BEC state' in the spectrum.

Classification of states as universal, quasi-universal, or non-universal.

Mapping of energy spectrum as a function of scattering length.

Abstract

Four identical spinless bosons with purely attractive two-body short-range interactions and repulsive three-body interactions under external spherically symmetric harmonic confinement are considered. The repulsive three-body potential prevents the formation of deeply-bound states with molecular character. The low-energy spectrum with vanishing orbital angular momentum and positive parity for infinitely large two-body $s$-wave scattering length is analyzed in detail. Using the three-body contact, states are classified as universal, quasi-universal, or strongly non-universal. Connections with the zero-range interaction model are discussed. The energy spectrum is mapped out as a function of the two-body $s$-wave scattering length $a_s$, $a_s>0$. In the weakly- to medium-strongly-interacting regime, one of the states approaches the energy obtained for a hard core interaction model. This state is identified as the energetically lowest-lying "BEC state". Structural properties are also presented.