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Communications in Theoretical Physics

Spatiotemporal pattern formation in parametrically driven two-dimensional Bose–Einstein condensates

Jun Wan, Wen Wen, Hui‐jun Li

Published Aug 26, 2024• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We investigate spatiotemporal periodic patterns in harmonically trapped Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) driven by a periodic modulation of the interaction. Resonant with the breathing mode, we show the emergence of a square lattice pattern containing two orthonormal stripes. We study the time evolutions of the lattice patterns for different driving strengths and dissipations. We find that its spatial periodicity and temporal oscillating frequency match the Bogoliubov dispersion, which is the intrinsic property of the system and relevant to the parametric amplification of elementary excitations. In the circumstances of strong driving strength and low dissipation, we further observe the triad interaction and the resulting superlattice state, which are well explained by the nonlinear amplitude equation for superimposed stripes. These results shed light on unexplored nonlinear spatiotemporal dynamics of two-dimensional patterns in harmonically trapped BECs that can pave the way for engineering exotic patterns by state-of-the-art experiments.

DOI
10.1088/1572-9494/ad7373

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Abstract We investigate spatiotemporal periodic patterns in harmonically trapped Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) driven by a periodic modulation of the interaction. Resonant with the breathing mode, we show the emergence of a square lattice pattern containing two orthonormal stripes. We study the time evolutions of the lattice patterns for different driving strengths and dissipations. We find that its spatial periodicity and temporal oscillating frequency match the Bogoliubov dispersion, which is the intrinsic property of the system and relevant to the parametric amplification of elementary excitations. In the circumstances of strong driving strength and low dissipation, we further observe the triad interaction and the resulting superlattice state, which are well explained by the nonlinear amplitude equation for superimposed stripes. These results shed light on unexplored nonlinear spatiotemporal dynamics of two-dimensional patterns in harmonically trapped BECs that can pave the way for engineering exotic patterns by state-of-the-art experiments.
The study of collective excitations is a crucial tool for understanding many-body quantum systems. For instance, collective excitations play a central role in the exploration of superfluidity and other quantum macroscopic phenomena in Bose and Fermi systems. In this work we present a variational and a numerical study of a parametrically driven Bose-Einstein condensate confined in a cylindrical harmonic trap in which the aspect ratio can be varied from a prolate (cigar-shaped) to an oblate (pancake-shaped) system. The excitation can be applied by periodically modulating the harmonic frequencies of the trap or alternatively the interatomic interaction strength at a frequency that matches that of the system's breathing mode. As a result, we observe the formation of dynamical density patterns that depend on the geometry of the trap: a fringe pattern in a prolate system and a ring pattern in an oblate one. By decomposing the total energy into its kinetic, potential, and interaction terms, we show that the onset of these patterns coincides with the redistribution of kinetic energy in the weakly trapped directions of the sample, indicating the three-dimensional nature of the studied phenomena. Finally, our analysis shows that the difference between the two excitation mechanisms lies in the system stability. Modulating the trap destabilizes the system quicker than modulating the interactions, leading to earlier formation of the patterns.
We study the instability of a ring Bose-Einstein condensate under a periodic modulation of interatomic interactions. The condensate exhibits temporal and spatial patterns induced by the parametric resonance, which can be characterized by Bogoliubov quasiparticle excitations in the Floquet basis. As the ring geometry significantly limits the number of excitable Bogoliubov modes, we are able to capture the nonlinear dynamics of the condensate using a three-mode model. We further demonstrate the robustness of the temporal and spatial patterns against disorder, which is attributed to the mode-locking mechanism under the ring geometry. Our results can be observed in cold atomic systems and are also relevant to physical systems described by the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation.
The onset of pattern formation in a spatially homogeneous system subjected to external driving is an important topic in various scientific fields. A celebrated classical example is the Faraday instability, where a vertically oscillated fluid surface undergoes a parametric resonance, giving rise to standing waves that self-organize into regular spatial patterns. Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) provide an ideal quantum-mechanical platform for studying pattern-forming mechanisms due to their exceptional degree of experimental control. As a compressible state of quantum matter, a condensate responds sensitively to external perturbations, including time-periodic modulation of interactions, trapping potentials, or external fields. These features make BECs particularly well suited for exploring driven nonequilibrium phases and pattern formation. In this chapter, we review the remarkable progress achieved in this field over the past two decades. We begin with the first theoretical proposal predicting parametric instabilities and emergent Faraday waves in driven condensates. We then discuss key experimental and theoretical breakthroughs that confirmed these predictions and refined the understanding of the underlying mechanisms. This line of research has culminated in the recent observation of a stabilized square lattice pattern in a periodically driven BEC confined in a two-dimensional geometry. This driven superfluid state with superposed density modulation was shown to exhibit some features of a supersolid state.
A Faraday-wave-like parametric instability is investigated via mean-field and Floquet analysis in immiscible binary Bose-Einstein condensates. The condensates form a so-called ball-shell structure in a two-dimensional harmonic trap. To trigger the dynamics, the scattering length of the core condensate is periodically modulated in time. We reveal that in the dynamics the interface becomes unstable towards the formation of oscillating patterns. The interface oscillates subharmonically, exhibiting an mmm-fold rotational symmetry that can be controlled by maneuvering the amplitude and the frequency of the modulation. Using Floquet analysis we are able to predict the generated interfacial tension of the mixture and derive a dispersion relation for the natural frequencies of the emergent patterns. A heteronuclear system composed of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}\ensuremath{-}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms can be used for the experimental realization of the phenomenon, yet our results are independent of the specifics of the employed atomic species and of the parameters such as scattering lengths and trap strengths at which the driving is applied.
Faraday waves in a cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate are created. It is shown that periodically modulating the transverse confinement, and thus the nonlinear interactions in the BEC, excites small amplitude longitudinal oscillations through a parametric resonance. It is also demonstrated that even without the presence of a continuous drive, an initial transverse breathing mode excitation of the condensate leads to spontaneous pattern formation in the longitudinal direction. Finally, the effects of strongly driving the transverse breathing mode with large amplitude are investigated. In this case, impact-oscillator behavior and intriguing nonlinear dynamics, including the gradual emergence of multiple longitudinal modes, are observed.
Faraday waves in a cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate are created. It is shown that periodically modulating the transverse confinement, and thus the nonlinear interactions in the BEC, excites small amplitude longitudinal oscillations through a parametric resonance. It is also demonstrated that even without the presence of a continuous drive, an initial transverse breathing mode excitation of the condensate leads to spontaneous pattern formation in the longitudinal direction. Finally, the effects of strongly driving the transverse breathing mode with large amplitude are investigated. In this case, impact-oscillator behavior and intriguing nonlinear dynamics, including the gradual emergence of multiple longitudinal modes, are observed.