Self-interfering dynamics in Bose-Einstein condensates with engineered dispersions

Abstract

Optical lattice and spin-orbit coupling are typical experimental approaches to engineer dispersion. We reveal self-interfering dynamics in a noninteracting Bose-Einstein condensate with the engineered dispersion by optical lattice or spin-orbit coupling. The self-interference results from the co-occupation of positive and negative effect mass regimes in the engineered dispersion. The physical origination of the self-interference is explained by the Wigner distribution function of the self-interfering wave-packet. We characterize detailed features of the self-interference pattern.