Expansion of a Bose-Einstein condensate formed on a joint harmonic and one-dimensional optical-lattice potential

We study the expansion of a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a combined optical-lattice and axially-symmetric harmonic potential using the numerical solution of the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation. First, we consider the expansion of such a condensate under the action of the optical-lattice potential alone. In this case the result of numerical simulation for the axial and radial sizes during expansion is in agreement with two experiments by Morsch et al (2002 Phys. Rev. A 66 021601(R) and 2003 Laser Phys. 13 594). Finally, we consider the expansion under the action of the harmonic potential alone. In this case the oscillation, and the disappearance and revival of the resultant interference pattern is in agreement with the experiment by Muller et al (2003 J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Opt. 5 S38).

Theory of optical dispersive shock waves in photorefractive media

The theory of optical dispersive shocks generated in the propagation of light beams through photorefractive media is developed. A full one-dimensional analytical theory based on the Whitham modulation approach is given for the simplest case of a sharp steplike initial discontinuity in a beam with one-dimensional striplike geometry. This approach is confirmed by numerical simulations, which are extended also to beams with cylindrical symmetry. The theory explains recent experiments where such dispersive shock waves have been observed.

Dynamical classical superfluid-insulator transition in a Bose-Einstein condensate on an optical lattice

We predict a dynamical: classical superfluid-insulator transition in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) trapped in combined optical and axially symmetrical harmonic potentials initiated by the periodic modulation of the radial trapping potential. The transition is marked by a loss of phase coherence in the BEC and a subsequent destruction of the interference pattern upon free:expansion. For a weak modulation of the radial potential the phase coherence is maintained. For a stronger modulation and a longer holding time in the modulated trap, the phase coherence is destroyed thus signalling a classical superfluid-insulator transition. The results are illustrated by a complete numerical solution of the axially symmetrical mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation for a repulsive BEC. Suggestions for future experimentation are-made.

Spatially-antisymmetric localization of matter wave in a bichromatic optical lattice

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Three-dimensional solitons in cross-combined linear and nonlinear optical lattices

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Two-dimensional dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate bright and vortex solitons on a one-dimensional optical lattice

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Gap solitons in a model of a superfluid fermion gas in optical lattices

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Gap solitons in a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate on a three-dimensional optical lattice

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Localization of a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate in a bichromatic optical lattice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate soliton on a two-dimensional optical lattice

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Localized modes of binary mixtures of Bose-Einstein condensates in nonlinear optical lattices

The properties of the localized states of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate confined in a nonlinear periodic potential (nonlinear optical lattice) are investigated. We discuss the existence of different types of solitons and study their stability by means of analytical and numerical approaches. The symmetry properties of the localized states with respect to nonlinear optical lattices are also investigated. We show that nonlinear optical lattices allow the existence of bright soliton modes with equal symmetry in both components and bright localized modes of mixed symmetry type, as well as dark-bright bound states and bright modes on periodic backgrounds. In spite of the quasi-one-dimensional nature of the problem, the fundamental symmetric localized modes undergo a delocalizing transition when the strength of the nonlinear optical lattice is varied. This transition is associated with the existence of an unstable solution, which exhibits a shrinking (decaying) behavior for slightly overcritical (undercritical) variations in the number of atoms.

Soliton dynamics at an interface between a uniform medium and a nonlinear optical lattice

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Symmetry breaking in a localized interacting binary Bose-Einstein condensate in a bichromatic optical lattice

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Localization of a Bose-Einstein-condensate vortex in a bichromatic optical lattice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Matter-wave two-dimensional solitons in crossed linear and nonlinear optical lattices

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)