Self-interference of a single Bose–Einstein condensate due to boundary effects
R W Robinett
A simple model wavefunction, consisting of a linear combination of two free-particle Gaussians, describes many of the observed features seen in the interactions of two isolated Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) as they expand, overlap and interfere. It is shown that a simple extension of this idea can be used to predict the qualitative time-development of a single expanding BEC produced near an infinite wall boundary, giving similar interference phenomena. Other possible time-dependent behaviours of single BECs in restricted geometries, such as wave packet revivals are also briefly discussed.
arXiv:quant-ph/0511075•Physica Scripta•May 18, 2006•4 citations