arXiv:1706.08304 · Physical Review A
Dimensional crossover of Bose-Einstein-condensation phenomena in quantum gases confined within slab geometries
Francesco Delfino, Ettore Vicari
Abstract
We investigate systems of interacting bosonic particles confined within slablike boxes of size ${L}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}Z$ with $Z\ensuremath{\ll}L$, at their three-dimensional (3D) Bose-Einstein-condensation (BEC) transition temperature ${T}_{c}$, and below ${T}_{c}$ where they experience a quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition (at ${T}_{\mathrm{BKT}}<{T}_{c}$ depending on the thickness $Z$). The low-temperature phase below ${T}_{\mathrm{BKT}}$ shows quasi-long-range order: the planar correlations decay algebraically as predicted by the 2D spin-wave theory. This dimensional crossover, from a 3D behavior for $T\ensuremath{\gtrsim}{T}_{c}$ to a quasi-2D critical behavior for $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{\mathrm{BKT}}$, can be described by a transverse finite-size scaling limit in a slab geometry. Numerical evidence of the $3\mathrm{D}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\mathrm{D}$ dimensional crossover is presented for the Bose-Hubbard model defined in anisotropic ${L}^{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}Z$ lattices with $Z\ensuremath{\ll}L$. We extend this scaling analysis to the case the slab geometry of the gas is effectively realized by a transverse (inhomogeneous) harmonic trap. Finally, we discuss off-equilibrium behaviors arising from slow time variations of the temperature across the BEC transition of gases confined within a slab geometry. We argue that the system develops an off-equilibrium transverse finite-size scaling under these time-dependent protocols.