Faraday patterns in Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how periodic modulation of interactions in Bose-Einstein condensates induces Faraday-like density patterns, revealing the interplay between excitation frequency and modulation depth in pattern formation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of Faraday pattern formation in BECs through parametric resonance, highlighting the influence of modulation parameters on spatial structure selection.

Findings

Density patterns are excited via parametric resonance.

Wavelength is primarily determined by excitation frequency.

Modulation depth also influences pattern wavelength.

Abstract

Temporal periodic modulation of the interatomic s-wave scattering length in Bose-Einstein condensates is shown to excite subharmonic patterns of atom density through a parametric resonance. The dominating wavelength of the spatial structures is shown to be primarily selected by the excitation frequency but also affected by the depth of the spatial modulation via a nonlinear resonance. These phenomena represent macroscopic quantum analogues of the Faraday waves excited in vertically shaken liquids.