Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Quantum dynamics of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential

Gerard J Milburn, Joel Frederick Corney, Ewan M. Wright, Daniel F. Walls

Published Jun 1, 1997• 1,118 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We consider the quantum dynamics of a neutral atom Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential, including many-body hard-sphere interactions. Using a mean-field factorization we show that the coherent oscillations due to tunneling are suppressed when the number of atoms exceeds a critical value. An exact quantum solution, in a two-mode approximation, shows that the mean-field solution is modulated by a quantum collapse and revival sequence.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.55.4318

Related papers

Quantum dynamics of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate

Gerard J Milburn, Joel Frederick Corney, David Harris +2 more

We consider the quantum dynamics of a neutral atom Bose- Einstein condensate in a double-well potential, including hard-sphere particle interactions. Using a mean-field factorization we show that the coherent oscillations due to tunnelling are suppressed when the number of atoms exceeds a critical value. An exact quantum solution, in a two-mode approximation, shows that the mean-field solution is modulated by a quantum collapse and revival sequence. Chaotic dynamics results when the potential is modulated.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 1, 1997•3 citations

Quantum Nonlinear Dynamics Of An Atomic Bose-einstein Condensate

Gerard J Milburn, Joel Frederick Corney, David Harris

The quantum nonlinear dynamics of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a double-well potential is studied. Using a double-well single-particle potential model system and a two-mode approximation, results showed that the coherent oscillations resulting from tunneling are suppressed when the number of atoms is greater than a critical value. The spectrum if nonresonant light scattered by the condensate to include an asymmetric double peak structure with peak separation and relative heights determined by the number of atoms in the condensate and the interaction strength for hard sphere collisions.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jan 1, 1997•1 citation

Nonlinear dynamics of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential

Özgür Esat Müstecaplıoğlu, Mei Zhang, Li You

We examine the nonlinear dynamical behavior of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. Considering a condensate with large number of atoms, such that it can be described using the mean field theory, we separate the spinor dynamics from the spatial dynamics under the single-mode approximation. We limit ourselves to certain initial conditions under which the spatial mode is frozen so that we can focus on the spinor dynamics only. Identifying collective spin variables of our system, we derive the corresponding nonlinear equations of motion for them. Employing standard stability analysis, we find and characterize fixed points of the system. For a wide range of physical parameters such as tunneling strength and non-linear interactions, as well as for various initial preparations of the system, we identify qualitatively different dynamical regimes possible in the system. In particular, complete and incomplete oscillations of spin variables between quantum wells are found. We also show that by bringing some fixed points close to each other in the phase space of the system, it is possible to induce amplitude modulation to those otherwise regular tunneling oscillations.

Laser Physics•Feb 1, 2006•0 citations

Tunneling of condensate magnetization in a double-well potential

Özgür Esat Müstecaplıoğlu, Mei Zhang, Li You

We study quantum dynamical properties of a spin-1 atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. Adopting a mean field theory and single spatial mode approximation, we characterize our model system as two coupled spins. For certain initial states, we find full magnetization oscillations between wells not accompanied by mass (or atom numbers) exchange. We identify dynamic regimes of collective spin variables arising from nonlinear self-interactions that are different from the usual Josephson oscillations. We also discuss magnetization beats and incomplete oscillations of collective spin variables other than the magnetization. Our study points to an alternative approach to observe coherent tunnelling of a condensate through a (spatial) potential barrier.

arXiv:quant-ph/0501165•Physical Review A•May 31, 2005•20 citations

Tunnelling-induced Collapse of an Atomic Bose-Einstein Condensate in a Double-well Potential

E Sakellari, Nick P. Proukakis, C. S. Adams

The stability of a low-temperature Bose–Einstein condensate with attractive interactions in one- and three-dimensional double-well potentials is discussed. In particular, the tunnelling dynamics of a condensate under the influence of a time-dependent potential gradient is investigated. The condensate is shown to collapse at a critical potential gradient which corresponds to a critical number of atoms in one of the two wells. The sensitivity of this tunnelling-induced collapse could provide a useful tool in the study of condensates with attractive interactions.

•Dec 31, 2004•0 citations

Bose-Einstein condensate in a double well potential in the vicinity of a critical point

Barbara Oleś, Paweł Zin, Jan Chwedeńczuk +2 more

We consider a Bose-Einstein condensate with an attractive particle interaction in a symmetric double well potential. It is known that in the mean field description a symmetric solution for the condensate wavefunction becomes unstable when the interactions are stronger than some critical value. We analyze the system around the critical point applying the number conserving Bogoliubov theory and exact diagonalization of the two mode hamiltonian. It allows for estimation of the density fluctuations in the system. Fluctuations of the order parameter, which is defined in the mean field description, turn out to be maximal at the critical point.

Laser Physics•Feb 2, 2010•12 citations
We consider the quantum dynamics of a neutral atom Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential, including many-body hard-sphere interactions. Using a mean-field factorization we show that the coherent oscillations due to tunneling are suppressed when the number of atoms exceeds a critical value. An exact quantum solution, in a two-mode approximation, shows that the mean-field solution is modulated by a quantum collapse and revival sequence.
We consider the quantum dynamics of a neutral atom Bose- Einstein condensate in a double-well potential, including hard-sphere particle interactions. Using a mean-field factorization we show that the coherent oscillations due to tunnelling are suppressed when the number of atoms exceeds a critical value. An exact quantum solution, in a two-mode approximation, shows that the mean-field solution is modulated by a quantum collapse and revival sequence. Chaotic dynamics results when the potential is modulated.
The quantum nonlinear dynamics of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a double-well potential is studied. Using a double-well single-particle potential model system and a two-mode approximation, results showed that the coherent oscillations resulting from tunneling are suppressed when the number of atoms is greater than a critical value. The spectrum if nonresonant light scattered by the condensate to include an asymmetric double peak structure with peak separation and relative heights determined by the number of atoms in the condensate and the interaction strength for hard sphere collisions.
We examine the nonlinear dynamical behavior of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. Considering a condensate with large number of atoms, such that it can be described using the mean field theory, we separate the spinor dynamics from the spatial dynamics under the single-mode approximation. We limit ourselves to certain initial conditions under which the spatial mode is frozen so that we can focus on the spinor dynamics only. Identifying collective spin variables of our system, we derive the corresponding nonlinear equations of motion for them. Employing standard stability analysis, we find and characterize fixed points of the system. For a wide range of physical parameters such as tunneling strength and non-linear interactions, as well as for various initial preparations of the system, we identify qualitatively different dynamical regimes possible in the system. In particular, complete and incomplete oscillations of spin variables between quantum wells are found. We also show that by bringing some fixed points close to each other in the phase space of the system, it is possible to induce amplitude modulation to those otherwise regular tunneling oscillations.
We study quantum dynamical properties of a spin-1 atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in a double-well potential. Adopting a mean field theory and single spatial mode approximation, we characterize our model system as two coupled spins. For certain initial states, we find full magnetization oscillations between wells not accompanied by mass (or atom numbers) exchange. We identify dynamic regimes of collective spin variables arising from nonlinear self-interactions that are different from the usual Josephson oscillations. We also discuss magnetization beats and incomplete oscillations of collective spin variables other than the magnetization. Our study points to an alternative approach to observe coherent tunnelling of a condensate through a (spatial) potential barrier.
The stability of a low-temperature Bose–Einstein condensate with attractive interactions in one- and three-dimensional double-well potentials is discussed. In particular, the tunnelling dynamics of a condensate under the influence of a time-dependent potential gradient is investigated. The condensate is shown to collapse at a critical potential gradient which corresponds to a critical number of atoms in one of the two wells. The sensitivity of this tunnelling-induced collapse could provide a useful tool in the study of condensates with attractive interactions.
We consider a Bose-Einstein condensate with an attractive particle interaction in a symmetric double well potential. It is known that in the mean field description a symmetric solution for the condensate wavefunction becomes unstable when the interactions are stronger than some critical value. We analyze the system around the critical point applying the number conserving Bogoliubov theory and exact diagonalization of the two mode hamiltonian. It allows for estimation of the density fluctuations in the system. Fluctuations of the order parameter, which is defined in the mean field description, turn out to be maximal at the critical point.