Hoefer, M.
, Chang, J.
and Engels, P.
(2008),
Matter-wave interference in Bose-Einstein condensates: A dispersive hydrodynamic perspective, Physica D-Nonlinear Phenomena, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2008.08.021
(Accessed September 10, 2024)
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Matter-wave interference in Bose-Einstein condensates: A dispersive hydrodynamic perspective
Published
Author(s)
, Jia J. Chang, Peter Engels
Abstract
The interference pattern generated by the merging interaction of two Bose-Einstein condensates reveals the coherent, quantum wave nature of matter. An asymptotic analysis of the nonlinear Schr¿odinger equation in the zero dispersion (semi-classical) limit, experimental results, and three-dimensional numerical simulations show that this interference pattern can be interpreted as a modulated soliton train generated by the interaction of two degenerate rarefaction waves propagating through the vacuum. The soliton train is shown to emerge from a linear, trigonometric interference pattern. The origin of the modulated soliton train is embedded in the Whitham theory of dispersive shock waves. This dispersive hydrodynamic perspective offers a new viewpoint on the mechanism driving matter wave interference.Citation
Physica D-Nonlinear Phenomena
Volume
238
Issue
15
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
Bose-Einstein Condensate, Whitham theory, Matter Wave Interference, Dispersive Shock wave
Citation
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Created September 6, 2008, Updated June 2, 2021