Nonpolynomial Schr Research Articles

Collisionally Inhomogeneous Bose-Einstein Condensates with a Linear Interaction Gradient.

We study the evolution of a collisionally inhomogeneous matter wave in a spatial gradient of the interaction strength. Starting with a Bose-Einstein condensate with weak repulsive interactions in quasi-one-dimensional geometry, we monitor the evolution of a matter wave that simultaneously extends into spatial regions with attractive and repulsive interactions. We observe the formation and the decay of solitonlike density peaks, counterpropagating self-interfering wave packets, and the creation of cascades of solitons. The matter-wave dynamics is well reproduced in numerical simulations based on the nonpolynomial Schrödinger equation with three-body loss, allowing us to better understand the underlying behavior based on a wavelet transformation. Our analysis provides new understanding of collapse processes for solitons, and opens interesting connections to other nonlinear instabilities.

Double-layer Bose-Einstein condensates: A quantum phase transition in the transverse direction, and reduction to two dimensions.

We revisit the problem of the reduction of the three-dimensional (3D) dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates, under the action of strong confinement in one direction (z), to a 2D mean-field equation. We address this problem for the confining potential with a singular term, viz., V_{z}(z)=2z^{2}+ζ^{2}/z^{2}, with constant ζ. A quantum phase transition is induced by the latter term, between the ground state (GS) of the harmonic oscillator and the 3D condensate split in two parallel noninteracting layers, which is a manifestation of the "superselection" effect. A realization of the respective physical setting is proposed, making use of resonant coupling to an optical field, with the resonance detuning modulated along z. The reduction of the full 3D Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE) to the 2D nonpolynomial Schrödinger equation (NPSE) is based on the factorized ansatz, with the z -dependent multiplier represented by an exact GS solution of the 1D Schrödinger equation with potential V_{z}(z). For both repulsive and attractive signs of the nonlinearity, the 2D NPSE produces GS and vortex states, that are virtually indistinguishable from the respective numerical solutions provided by full 3D GPE. In the case of the self-attraction, the threshold for the onset of the collapse, predicted by the 2D NPSE, is also virtually identical to its counterpart obtained from the 3D equation. In the same case, stability and instability of vortices with topological charge S=1, 2, and 3 are considered in detail. Thus, the procedure of the spatial-dimension reduction, 3D → 2D, produces very accurate results, and it may be used in other settings.

Bright solitons in ultracold atoms

We review old and recent experimental and theoretical results on bright solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates made of alkali-metal atoms and under external optical confinement. First we deduce the three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation (3D GPE) from the Dirac-Frenkel action of interacting identical bosons within a time-dependent Hartree approximation. Then we discuss the dimensional reduction of the GPE from 3D to 1D, deriving the 1D GPE and also the 1D nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equation (1D NPSE). Finally, we analyze the bright solition solutions of both 1D GPE and 1D NPSE and compare these theoretical predictions with the available experimental data.

Localized modes in quasi-two-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates with spin-orbit and Rabi couplings

We consider a two-component pancake-shaped, i.e., effectively two-dimensional (2D), Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) coupled by the spin-orbit (SO) and Rabi terms. The SO coupling adopted here is of the mixed Rashba-Dresselhaus type. For this configuration, we derive a system of two 2D nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equations (NPSEs), for both attractive and repulsive interatomic interactions. In the low- and high-density limits, the system amounts to previously known models, namely, the usual 2D Gross-Pitaevskii equation, or the Schr\"odinger equation with the nonlinearity of power 7/3. We present simple approximate localized solutions, obtained by treating the SO and Rabi terms as perturbations. Localized solutions of the full NPSE system are obtained in a numerical form. Remarkably, in the case of the attractive nonlinearity acting in free space (i.e., without any 2D trapping potential), we find parameter regions where the SO and Rabi couplings make 2D fundamental solitons dynamically stable.

Competition between the symmetry breaking and onset of collapse in weakly coupled atomic condensates

We analyze the symmetry breaking of matter-wave solitons in a pair of cigar-shaped traps coupled by tunneling of atoms. The model is based on a system of linearly coupled nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equations. Unlike the well-known spontaneous-symmetry-breaking (SSB) bifurcation in coupled cubic equations, in the present model the SSB competes with the onset of collapse in this system. Stability regions of symmetric and asymmetric solitons, as well as the collapse region, are identified in the system's parameter space.

Solitons in the discrete nonpolynomial Schrödinger equation

We introduce a species of the discrete nonlinear Schr\"odinger (DNLS) equation, which is a model for a self-attractive Bose-Einstein condensate confined in a combination of a cigar-shaped trap and deep optical lattice acting in the axial direction. The equation is derived as a discretization of the respective nonlinear nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equation. Unlike previously considered varieties of one-dimensional DNLS equations, the present discrete model admits on-site collapse. We find two families of unstaggered on-site-centered discrete solitons, stable and unstable ones, which include, respectively, broad and narrow solitons, their stability exactly complying with the Vakhitov-Kolokolov criterion. Unstable on-site solitons either decay or transform themselves into robust breathers. Intersite-centered unstaggered solitons are unstable to collapse; however, they may be stabilized by the application of a sufficiently strong kick, which turns them into moving localized modes. Persistently moving solitons can be readily created too by the application of the kick to stable on-site unstaggered solitons. In the same model, staggered solitons, which are counterparts of gap solitons in the continuum medium, are possible if the intrinsic nonlinearity is self-repulsive. All on-site staggered solitons are stable, while intersite ones have a small instability region. The staggered solitons are immobile.

Effects of axial vorticity in elongated mixtures of Bose-Einstein condensates

We consider a meniscus between rotating and nonrotating species in the Bose-Einstein condensate with repulsive interatomic interactions, confined to a pipe-shaped trap. In this setting, we derive a system of coupled one-dimensional nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equations for two mean-field wave functions. Using these equations, we analyze the phase separation and mixing in the pipe with periodic axial boundary conditions, i.e., in a toroidal configuration. We find that the onset of the mixing, in the form of suction, i.e., filling the empty core in the vortical component by its nonrotating counterpart, crucially depends on the vorticity of the first component and on the strengths of the interatomic interactions.

Faraday waves in Bose-Einstein condensates

Motivated by recent experiments on Faraday waves in Bose-Einstein condensates we investigate both analytically and numerically the dynamics of cigar-shaped Bose-condensed gases subject to periodic modulation of the strength of the transverse confinement. We offer a fully analytical explanation of the observed parametric resonance, based on a Mathieu-type analysis of the non-polynomial Schr{\"o}dinger equation. The theoretical prediction for the pattern periodicity versus the driving frequency is directly compared with the experimental data, yielding good qualitative and quantitative agreement between the two. These results are corroborated by direct numerical simulations of both the one-dimensional non-polynomial Schr{\"o}dinger equation and of the fully three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation.

Dark matter-wave solitons in the dimensionality crossover

We consider the statics and dynamics of dark matter-wave solitons in the dimensionality crossover regime from three dimensions (3D) to one dimension (1D). There, using the nonpolynomial Schr\odinger mean-field model, we find that the anomalous mode of the Bogoliubov spectrum has an eigenfrequency which coincides with the soliton oscillation frequency obtained by the 3D Gross-Pitaevskii model. We show that substantial deviations (of the order of 10% or more) from the characteristic frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z}∕\sqrt{2}$ (${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z}$ being the longitudinal trap frequency) are possible even in the purely 1D regime.

Nearly-one-dimensional self-attractive Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices

Within the framework of a mean-field description, we investigate atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, with attraction between atoms, under the action of a strong transverse confinement and periodic [optical-lattice (OL)] axial potential. Using a combination of the variational approximation, one-dimensional (1D) nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equation, and direct numerical solutions of the underlying 3D Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we show that the ground state of the condensate is a soliton belonging to the semi-infinite band gap of the periodic potential. The soliton may be confined to a single cell of the lattice or extended to several cells, depending on the effective self-attraction strength $g$ (which is proportional to the number of atoms bound in the soliton) and depth of the potential, ${V}_{0}$, the increase of ${V}_{0}$ leading to strong compression of the soliton. We demonstrate that the OL is an effective tool to control the soliton's shape. It is found that, due to the 3D character of the underlying setting, the ground-state soliton collapses at a critical value of the strength, $g={g}_{c}$, which gradually decreases with the increase of ${V}_{0}$; under typical experimental conditions, the corresponding maximum number of $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms in the soliton, ${N}_{\mathrm{max}}$, ranges between 8000 and 4000. Examples of stable multipeaked solitons are also found in the first finite band gap of the lattice spectrum. The respective critical value ${g}_{c}$ again slowly decreases with the increase of ${V}_{0}$, corresponding to ${N}_{\mathrm{max}}\ensuremath{\simeq}5000$.

Vector solitons in nearly one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates

We derive a system of nonpolynomial Schr\"odinger equations for one-dimensional wave functions of two components in a binary self-attractive Bose-Einstein condensate loaded in a cigar-shaped trap. The system is obtained by means of the variational approximation, starting from the coupled three-dimensional (3D) Gross-Pitaevskii equations and assuming, as usual, the factorization of 3D wave functions. The system can be obtained in a tractable form under a natural condition of symmetry between the two species. A family of vector (two-component) soliton solutions is constructed. Collisions between orthogonal solitons (ones belonging to the different components) are investigated by means of simulations. The collisions are essentially inelastic. They result in strong excitation of intrinsic vibrations in the solitons, and create a small orthogonal component (``shadow") in each colliding soliton. The collision may initiate collapse, which depends on the mass and velocities of the solitons.

An effective quasi-one-dimensional description of a spin-1 atomic condensate

Within the mean field theory we extend the effective quasi-1D non-polynomial Schr\"{o}dinger equation (NPSE) approach to the description of a spin-1 atomic condensate in a tight radial confinement geometry for both weak and strong atom-atom interactions. Detailed comparisons with full time dependent 3D numerical simulations show excellent agreement as in the case of a single component scalar condensate, demonstrating our result as an efficient and effective tool for the understanding of spin-1 condensate dynamics observed in several recent experiments.

Dynamics of a Bose-Einstein-condensate bright soliton in an expulsive potential

We theoretically investigate the dynamics of a matter-wave soliton created in a harmonic potential, which is attractive in the transverse direction but expulsive in the longitudinal direction. This Bose-Einstein-condensate (BEC) bright soliton made of $^7$Li atoms has been observed in a recent experiment (Science {\bf 296}, 1290 (2002)). We show that the non-polynomial Schr\"odinger equation, an effective one-dimensional equation we derived from the three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation, is able to reproduce the main experimental features of this BEC soliton in an expulsive potential.

Effective wave equations for the dynamics of cigar-shaped and disk-shaped Bose condensates

Starting from the 3D Gross-Pitaevskii equation and using a variational approach, we derive an effective 1D wave-equation that describes the axial dynamics of a Bose condensate confined in an external potential with cylindrical symmetry. The trapping potential is harmonic in the transverse direction and generic in the axial one. Our equation, that is a time-dependent non-polynomial nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation (1D NPSE), can be used to model cigar-shaped condensates, whose dynamics is essentially 1D. We show that 1D NPSE gives much more accurate results than all other effective equations recently proposed. By using 1D NPSE we find analytical solutions for bright and dark solitons, which generalize the ones known in the literature. We deduce also an effective 2D non-polynomial Schr\"odinger equation (2D NPSE) that models disc-shaped Bose condensates confined in an external trap that is harmonic along the axial direction and generic in the transverse direction. In the limiting cases of weak and strong interaction, our approach gives rise to Schr\"odinger-like equations with different polynomial nonlinearities.