Mean Field Dynamics of Spin-Orbit Coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates

ORAL

Abstract

We derive the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation for spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein conden-sates by taking account that the pseudospin states of atoms are superpositions of the hyperfine states with different scattering lengths. The ground state phases of the condensate in a harmonic trap are obtained numerically in various parameter regions. We find a new oscillation period in the center of mass motion of the condensate subject to a sudden shift of the harmonic trap. The oscillation period is dependent on the direction of the shift of the harmonic trap, linearly proportional to the spin-orbit coupling strength, and independent on the interaction strength.

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Authors

  • Yongping Zhang

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164 USA

  • Li Mao

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

  • Chuanwei Zhang

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, Washington State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, USA