arXiv:1607.02406 · Physical Review Letters
Competition between Bose-Einstein Condensation and Spin Dynamics
B. Naylor, Mirosław Brewczyk, Mariusz Gajda, O. Gorceix, É. Maréchal, L. Vernac, B. Laburthe-Tolra
Abstract
We study the impact of spin-exchange collisions on the dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensation by rapidly cooling a chromium multicomponent Bose gas. Despite relatively strong spin-dependent interactions, the critical temperature for Bose-Einstein condensation is reached before the spin degrees of freedom fully thermalize. The increase in density due to Bose-Einstein condensation then triggers spin dynamics, hampering the formation of condensates in spin-excited states. Small metastable spinor condensates are, nevertheless, produced, and they manifest in strong spin fluctuations.