arXiv:1201.4306 · Physical Review A
Josephson dynamics of a spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential
Dan-Wei Zhang, Libin Fu, Z. D. Wang, Shi-Liang Zhu
Abstract
We investigate the quantum dynamics of an experimentally realized spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. The spin-orbit coupling can significantly enhance the atomic interwell tunneling. We find the coexistence of internal and external Josephson effects in the system, which are moreover inherently coupled in a complicated form even in the absence of interatomic interactions. Moreover, we show that the spin-dependent tunneling between two wells can induce a net atomic spin current referred as spin Josephson effects. Such spin Josephson effects can be observable under realistic conditions.