Mean-field model of jet formation in a collapsing Bose-Einstein condensate

TL;DR

This paper uses a mean-field approach with the Gross-Pitaevskii equation to model jet formation in collapsing Bose-Einstein condensates, aligning with experiments and predicting new behaviors for future testing.

Contribution

It provides a detailed numerical simulation of jet formation in collapsing BECs, extending understanding beyond current experimental observations.

Findings

Successful modeling of jet formation matching experimental results

Predictions of jet behavior under untested conditions

Insights into collapse dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates

Abstract

We perform a systematic numerical study, based on the time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation, of jet formation in collapsing and exploding Bose-Einstein condensates as in the experiment by Donley et al [2001 Nature 412 295]. In the actual experiment, via a Feshbach resonance, the scattering length of atomic interaction was suddenly changed from positive to negative on a pre-formed condensate. Consequently, the condensate collapsed and ejected atoms via explosion. On a disruption of collapse by suddenly changing the scattering length to zero a radial jet of atoms was formed in the experiment. We present a satisfactory account of jet formation under the experimental conditions as well as make predictions beyond experimental conditions which can be verified in future experiments.