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

arXiv:nlin/0604044 · Physical Review Letters

Oblique Dark Solitons in Supersonic Flow of a Bose-Einstein Condensate

Gennady A. El, A. Gammal, A. M. Kamchatnov

Published Nov 1, 2006• 135 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In the framework of the Gross-Pitaevskii mean field approach, it is shown that the supersonic flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate can support a new type of pattern--an oblique dark soliton. The corresponding exact solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation is obtained. It is demonstrated by numerical simulations that oblique solitons can be generated by an obstacle inserted into the flow.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.97.180405

Related papers

Oblique spatial dark solitons in supersonic flow of Bose-Einstein condensate

Gennady A. El, A. Gammal, A. M. Kamchatnov

In framework of the Gross-Pitaevskii mean field approach it is shown that supersonic flow of Bose-Einstein condensate can support a new type of pattern-an oblique spatial dark soliton.Exact spatial dark soliton solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation is obtained.It is demonstrated by numerical simulations that spatial solitons can be generated by an obstacle inserted into the flow.Connection of the developed theory with available experimental data is discussed.

•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations

Stabilization of Solitons Generated by a Supersonic Flow of Bose-Einstein Condensate Past an Obstacle

A. M. Kamchatnov, Лев П. Питаевский

The stability of dark solitons generated by supersonic flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate past an obstacle is investigated. It is shown that in the reference frame attached to the obstacle a transition occurs at some critical value of the flow velocity from absolute instability of dark solitons to their convective instability. This leads to the decay of disturbances of solitons at a fixed distance from the obstacle and the formation of effectively stable dark solitons. This phenomenon explains the surprising stability of the flow picture that has been observed in numerical simulations.

arXiv:0712.1891•Physical Review Letters•Apr 21, 2008•131 citations

Wave patterns generated by a supersonic moving body in a binary Bose-Einstein condensate

Yu. G. Gladush, A. M. Kamchatnov, Zhiwei Shi +3 more

Generation of wave structures by a two-dimensional (2D) object (laser beam) moving in a 2D two-component Bose-Einstein condensate with a velocity greater than the two sound velocities of the mixture is studied by means of analytical methods and systematic simulations of the coupled Gross-Pitaevskii equations. The wave pattern features three regions separated by two Mach cones. Two branches of linear patterns similar to the so-called ``ship waves'' are located outside the corresponding Mach cones, and oblique dark solitons are found inside the wider cone. An analytical theory is developed for the linear patterns. A particular dark-soliton solution is also obtained, its stability is investigated, and two unstable modes of transverse perturbations are identified. It is shown that for a sufficiently large flow velocity, this instability has a convective character in the reference frame attached to the moving body, which makes the dark soliton effectively stable. The analytical findings are corroborated by numerical simulations.

arXiv:0811.1891•Physical Review A•Mar 23, 2009•52 citations

Dark-Soliton Branch Blocking in Transonic Bose--Einstein Condensate Flows

Edilberto Oliveira Silva

Acoustic horizons in Bose--Einstein condensates are usually characterized through long-wavelength Bogoliubov phonons. We study a nonlinear counterpart: whether a one-dimensional dark-soliton branch can sustain upstream laboratory motion in a stationary transonic flow. The mechanism is local at leading order. A regular dark soliton has a bounded fluid-frame velocity, limited by the local sound speed; therefore, in the supersonic region, the background flow exceeds the largest upstream velocity available to the soliton branch. The sonic point is thus the upstream edge of the local dark-soliton branch, rather than a hard wall or a soliton geodesic surface. We construct stationary transonic Gross--Pitaevskii backgrounds and evolve the full order parameter in an open, nonperiodic domain. The simulations show upstream propagation on the subsonic side, finite-depth stalling on the subsonic side, and downstream advection for defects initialized in the supersonic region with upstream velocity relative to the fluid. Convergence, branch-consistency, local-density, phase-jump, and a dense scan of dimensionless upstream attempts support the soliton-like interpretation. The result is a branch-existence constraint, not a rigorous lower bound on arbitrary density minima of the Gross--Pitaevskii field.

arXiv:2605.27863•May 27, 2026•0 citations

Emission of Solitons From an Obstacle Moving in the Bose-Einstein Condensate

Yufeng Song, Yu Mo, Shiping Feng +1 more

Dark solitons dynamically generated from a potential moving in a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate are displayed. Based on numerical simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we find that the moving obstacle successively emits a series of solitons which propagate at constant speeds. The dependence of soliton emission on the system parameters is examined. The formation mechanism of solitons is interpreted as interference between a diffusing wavepacket and the condensate background, enhanced by the nonlinear interactions. PACS numbers: 03.75.Mn, 03.75.Lm, 05.30.Jp

Frontiers in Physics•Nov 23, 2021•0 citations

Collisions of Dark Solitons in Elongated Bose-Einstein Condensates

Simon Stellmer, C. Becker, Parvis Soltan-Panahi +6 more

We present experimental data showing the head-on collision of dark solitons generated in an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate. No discernable interaction can be recorded, in full agreement with the fundamental theoretical concepts of solitons as mutually transparent quasiparticles. Our soliton generation technique allows for the creation of solitons with different depths; hence, they can be distinguished and their trajectories be followed. Simulations of the 1D-Gross-Pitaevskii equation have been performed to compare the experiment with a mean-field description.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 19, 2008•186 citations
In the framework of the Gross-Pitaevskii mean field approach, it is shown that the supersonic flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate can support a new type of pattern--an oblique dark soliton. The corresponding exact solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation is obtained. It is demonstrated by numerical simulations that oblique solitons can be generated by an obstacle inserted into the flow.
The stability of dark solitons generated by supersonic flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate past an obstacle is investigated. It is shown that in the reference frame attached to the obstacle a transition occurs at some critical value of the flow velocity from absolute instability of dark solitons to their convective instability. This leads to the decay of disturbances of solitons at a fixed distance from the obstacle and the formation of effectively stable dark solitons. This phenomenon explains the surprising stability of the flow picture that has been observed in numerical simulations.
Generation of wave structures by a two-dimensional (2D) object (laser beam) moving in a 2D two-component Bose-Einstein condensate with a velocity greater than the two sound velocities of the mixture is studied by means of analytical methods and systematic simulations of the coupled Gross-Pitaevskii equations. The wave pattern features three regions separated by two Mach cones. Two branches of linear patterns similar to the so-called ``ship waves'' are located outside the corresponding Mach cones, and oblique dark solitons are found inside the wider cone. An analytical theory is developed for the linear patterns. A particular dark-soliton solution is also obtained, its stability is investigated, and two unstable modes of transverse perturbations are identified. It is shown that for a sufficiently large flow velocity, this instability has a convective character in the reference frame attached to the moving body, which makes the dark soliton effectively stable. The analytical findings are corroborated by numerical simulations.
Acoustic horizons in Bose--Einstein condensates are usually characterized through long-wavelength Bogoliubov phonons. We study a nonlinear counterpart: whether a one-dimensional dark-soliton branch can sustain upstream laboratory motion in a stationary transonic flow. The mechanism is local at leading order. A regular dark soliton has a bounded fluid-frame velocity, limited by the local sound speed; therefore, in the supersonic region, the background flow exceeds the largest upstream velocity available to the soliton branch. The sonic point is thus the upstream edge of the local dark-soliton branch, rather than a hard wall or a soliton geodesic surface. We construct stationary transonic Gross--Pitaevskii backgrounds and evolve the full order parameter in an open, nonperiodic domain. The simulations show upstream propagation on the subsonic side, finite-depth stalling on the subsonic side, and downstream advection for defects initialized in the supersonic region with upstream velocity relative to the fluid. Convergence, branch-consistency, local-density, phase-jump, and a dense scan of dimensionless upstream attempts support the soliton-like interpretation. The result is a branch-existence constraint, not a rigorous lower bound on arbitrary density minima of the Gross--Pitaevskii field.
Dark solitons dynamically generated from a potential moving in a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate are displayed. Based on numerical simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we find that the moving obstacle successively emits a series of solitons which propagate at constant speeds. The dependence of soliton emission on the system parameters is examined. The formation mechanism of solitons is interpreted as interference between a diffusing wavepacket and the condensate background, enhanced by the nonlinear interactions. PACS numbers: 03.75.Mn, 03.75.Lm, 05.30.Jp
We present experimental data showing the head-on collision of dark solitons generated in an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate. No discernable interaction can be recorded, in full agreement with the fundamental theoretical concepts of solitons as mutually transparent quasiparticles. Our soliton generation technique allows for the creation of solitons with different depths; hence, they can be distinguished and their trajectories be followed. Simulations of the 1D-Gross-Pitaevskii equation have been performed to compare the experiment with a mean-field description.