Patterning by dynamically unstable spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Rashba spin-orbit coupling induces dynamical instability in zero-quasimomentum states of a 2D Bose-Einstein condensate, leading to spontaneous pattern formation driven by intrinsic system symmetries.

Contribution

It reveals that spin-orbit coupling universally causes dynamical instability in certain states, enabling controlled pattern formation in Bose-Einstein condensates.

Findings

Spin-orbit coupling induces instability in zero-quasimomentum states.

Pattern formation is linked to symmetries of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes Hamiltonian.

Bose-Einstein condensates with spin-orbit coupling serve as a platform for studying pattern dynamics.

Abstract

In a two-dimensional atomic Bose-Einstein condensate, we demonstrate Rashba spin-orbit coupling can always introduce dynamical instability into specific zero-quasimomentum states in all parameter regimes. During the evolution of the zero-quasimomentum states, such spin-orbit-coupling-induced instability can fragment the states and lead to a dynamically patterning process. The features of formed patterns are identified from the symmetries of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes Hamiltonian. We show that spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensates provide an interesting platform for the investigation of pattern formations.