Abstract In this paper, we study the influence of quantum fluctuations (QFs) on the macroscopic quantum tunneling and self-trapping (ST) of a two-component Bose–Einstein condensate in a double-well trap. QFs are described by the Lee–Huang–Yang (LHY) term in the modified Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) equation. Employing the modified GP equation in a scalar approximation, we derive a dimer model using a two-mode approximation. The frequencies of Josephson oscillations and ST conditions under QFs are found analytically and proven by numerical simulations of the modified GP equation. The tunneling and localization phenomena are also investigated for the case of the LHY fluid loaded in a double-well potential.
Abstract We consider the properties of stationary states and the dynamics of Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) in a double-well (DW) potential with pair tunneling by using a full quantum-mechanical treatment. Furthermore, we study the quantum quench dynamics of the DW system when subjected to a sudden change of the Peierls phase. It is shown that strong pair tunneling evidently influences the energy spectrum structure of the stationary states. For relatively weak repulsive interatomic interactions, the dynamics of the DW system with a maximal initial population difference evolves from Josephson oscillations to quantum self-trapping as one increases the pair tunneling strength, while for large repulsion the strong pair tunneling inhibits the quantum self-trapping. In the case of attractive interatomic interactions, strong pair tunneling tends to destroy the Josephson oscillations and quantum self-trapping, and the system eventually enters a symmetric regime of zero population difference. Finally, the effect of the Peierls phase on the quantum quench dynamics of the system is analyzed and discussed. These new features are remarkably different from the usual dynamical behaviors of a BEC in a DW potential.