Dynamical properties of dipolar Fermi gases

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical properties of a one-component Fermi gas with dipole–dipole interaction between particles. Using a variational function based on the Thomas–Fermi density distribution in phase space representation, the total energy is described as a function of deformation parameters in both real and momentum spaces. Various thermodynamic quantities of a uniform dipolar Fermi gas are derived, and then instability of this system is discussed. For a trapped dipolar Fermi gas, the collective oscillation frequencies are derived with the energy-weighted sum rule method. The frequencies for the monopole, quadrupole, radial and axial modes are calculated, and softening against collapse is shown as the dipolar strength approaches the critical value. Finally, we investigate the expansion dynamics of the Fermi gas and show how the dipolar interaction manifests itself in the shape of an expanded cloud.