arXiv · 1710.05800
A rapidly expanding Bose-Einstein condensate: an expanding universe in the lab
Abstract
We study the dynamics of a supersonically expanding ring-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate both experimentally and theoretically. The expansion redshifts long-wavelength excitations, as in an expanding universe. After expansion, energy in the radial mode leads to the production of bulk topological excitations -- solitons and vortices -- driving the production of a large number of azimuthal phonons and, at late times, causing stochastic persistent currents. These complex nonlinear dynamics, fueled by the energy stored coherently in one mode, are reminiscent of a type of "preheating" that may have taken place at the end of inflation.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
S. Eckel, A. Kumar, T. Jacobson, I. B. Spielman, G. K. Campbell. 2017-10-16. A rapidly expanding Bose-Einstein condensate: an expanding universe in the lab. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevx.8.021021
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.