Stabilization of nonlinear lattices: A route to superfluidity and hysteresis

Abstract

The Bloch states of a Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in pure nonlinear lattices (NLs) are dynamically unstable, so that they cannot show superfluidity. We overcome this problem by finding that the two-component BECs in NLs can be stabilized by the coherent linear coupling. Furthermore, in the limit of the strong coherent coupling, the lowest Bloch band in the whole Brillouin zone can be dynamically stable. We also find a hysteretic behavior with loop-like structure in the Bloch band resembling the so-called "swallowtail" loop. The dynamical stabilization and hysteretic behavior can be observed in experiments by current technology.