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Oscillation of fractional population imbalance ΔN/N with time t (in units of 1/J) for different values of coupling constant α and initial conditions

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posted on 2013-09-05, 00:00 authored by René John Kerkdyk, S Sinha

Figure 1. Oscillation of fractional population imbalance ΔN/N with time t (in units of 1/J) for different values of coupling constant α and initial conditions. Results obtained from quantum dynamics (solid lines) are compared with those obtained from classical dynamics (dotted line) for the same initial conditions. (a) AC Josephson oscillation for N = 100, α = 0.5, and with the classical initial condition cos θ = 0.2, = 0. (b) π-oscillation for N = 100, α = 0.5, cos θ = 0.2 and = π. (c) Self-trapping for N = 100, α = 1.5, cos θ = 0.85 and = π. (d) Damping and revival phenomenon in quantum dynamics for N = 50, α = 1.5, cos θ = 0.85 and = 0.

Abstract

We study the quantum dynamics of a Bose–Josephson junction made up of two coupled Bose–Einstein condensates. We analyse different dynamical branches of Josephson oscillations within an 'effective potential' approach. At a critical coupling strength, a transition takes place between the dynamical branches of Josephson oscillations, which is also manifested in the energy spectrum, and pairs of (quasi)-degenerate excited states appear above the critical coupling strength. This phenomenon can be understood in terms of change in shape of the 'effective potential'. Possible novel quantum phenomena like decay of metastable 'π-oscillation' by 'macroscopic quantum tunnelling' (MQT) and MQT between the 'self-trapped' states with equal and opposite number imbalance become evident from the simple picture of 'effective potential'.

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