Correlated dynamics of collective droplet excitations in a one-dimensional harmonic trap

TL;DR

This paper investigates the existence, structure, and collective excitations of one-dimensional quantum droplets in harmonic traps, revealing how correlations influence droplet configurations, dynamics, and entanglement in two-component mixtures.

Contribution

It provides a nonperturbative analysis of quantum droplet dynamics, including effects of correlations and asymmetry, and compares with Lee-Huang-Yang predictions, advancing understanding of droplet excitations.

Findings

Flat-top droplet configurations occur with increased atom number or decreased attraction.

Interaction-dependent breathing frequencies decrease with stronger attractions.

Large quenches cause droplet delocalization, excitations, and increased correlations.

Abstract

We address the existence and dynamics of one-dimensional harmonically confined quantum droplets, appearing in two-component mixtures by deploying a nonperturbative approach. We find that, in symmetric homonuclear settings, beyond Lee-Huang-Yang correlations result in flat-top droplet configurations for either decreasing intercomponent attraction or larger atom number. Asymmetric mixtures feature spatial mixing among the involved components with the more strongly interacting or heavier one exhibiting flat-top structures. Applying quenches on the harmonic trap we trigger the lowest-lying collective droplet excitations. The interaction-dependent breathing frequency, being slightly reduced in the presence of correlations, shows a decreasing trend for stronger attractions. Semi-analytical predictions are also obtained within the Lee-Huang-Yang framework. For relatively large quench amplitudes the droplet progressively delocalizes and higher-lying motional excitations develop in its core. Simultaneously, enhanced intercomponent entanglement and long-range two-body intracomponent correlations arise. In sharp contrast, the dipole motion remains robust irrespectively of the system parameters. Species selective quenches lead to a correlation-induced dephasing of the droplet or to irregular dipole patterns due to intercomponent collisions.