The Gross-Pitaevskii Equation and The Hydrodynamic Expansion of Becs

The Gross-Pitaevskii Equation and
the Hydrodynamic Expansion of BECs
2 2
∂ ~ ∇ 2
i ~ Φ (r, t) = − + Vext (r) + g |Φ (r, t)| Φ (r, t)
∂t 2m
(Mewes et al., 1996)
26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 1

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Derivation of the Gross-Pitaevskii Equation
The Ideal Bose Gas in a Harmonic Trap
Formalism / approximations
The Gross-Pitaevskii Equation
3 Applications of the Gross-Pitaevskii Equation
The Thomas-Fermi Approximation
Perturbations to the Ground State
The Free Expansion of a BEC
Vortices
The Collapse of a BEC
4 Summary

Contents
1 Introduction
Vortices
4 Summary

Motivation
Description of the BEC ground state

Experiments usually involve the
evolution of the BEC
BECs cannot be understood
without knowing their
hydrodynamic properties
Experimentally realized BECs in
cold atoms are inhomogeneous
systems
(Mewes et al., 1996) BECs usually contain a large
number of atoms
→ many-body problem

Contents
1 Introduction
Vortices
4 Summary

Neglect all atom-atom interactions → atoms don’t "see" each other

Potential of the trap: Vext (r) = m
ωx2 x 2 + ωy2 y 2 + ωz2 z 2

2
⇒ Problem described by the Schrödinger Eq. for one particle HO
Ground-state solution
1
h m i
ϕ0 (r) = 2
exp − ωx x 2 + ωy y 2 + ωz z 2
π aho 2~
q 1/3
with the oscillator length aho = mωho
~
, average osc. freq. ωho = ωx ωy ωz

Axially symmetric traps:

Define λ := ωω⊥z
2 2
⇒ Vext (r) = m2 ω⊥ + λ2 z 2

r⊥
λ < 1 → cigar-shaped trap
λ = 1 → spherical trap
λ > 1 → pancake-shaped trap


2 2
⇒ Vext (r) = m2 ω⊥ + λ2 z 2

r⊥
Density of a cold Bose gas

E.g. for N = 5000, T = 0.9Tc , spherical
trap
n0 : condensate, nT : thermal states
(Dalfovo et al., 1999)


2 2
⇒ Vext (r) = m2 ω⊥ + λ2 z 2

r⊥
Density of a cold Bose gas

E.g. for N = 5000, T = 0.9Tc , spherical
trap
n0 : condensate, nT : thermal states
→ Is the ground state really like that?

The formalism
Interactions between atoms: can we neglect them?

⇒ To get exact solutions, we should start from
The Many-Body Hamiltonian
~2 2 1
Z Z
† 0 † 0 0 0
Ĥ = drΨ̂ (r) − ∇ + Vext (r) + dr Ψ̂ (r )V (r − r )Ψ̂(r ) Ψ̂(r)
2m 2
where Ψ̂(r) and Ψ̂† (r) are the boson field operators.
Krauth, 1996:
"Direct" calculation for N = 104 , "hard-sphere" potential via Monte-Carlo method.
Usually N is much larger

Direct calculations are numerically too heavy for most cases

So we start approximating...
In general: Ψ̂(r) = ψα (r)âα , with

P
α
√
âα |n0 , ... , nα , ...i =
nα |n0 , ... , nα − 1, ...i
† √
âα |n0 , ... , nα , ...i = nα + 1 |n0 , ... , nα + 1, ...i
If N 1 and (almost) all particles are in the ground state (Bogoliubov, 1947):
† √
â0 |n0 , ...i ≈ â0 |n0 , ...i ≈ N0 |n0 , ...i
X p X
Ψ̂(r) = ψ0 (r)â0 + ψα (r)âα ≈ N0 ψ0 (r) + ψα (r)âα
α>0 α>0
More generally:
Ψ̂(r, t) = Φ(r, t) + Ψ̂0 (r, t)
BEC now described by a scalar "condensate wave function" Φ
Thermal cloud described by a perturbation Ψ̂0

The Effective Potential
If the gas is cold and dilute...

Atom-atom interaction are determined by low-energy 2-particle scattering.
The mean distance to neighboring particle is large
→ Only the long range properties of the potential are relevant.
Meaning that we can write
V (r − r0 ) → g δ (r − r0 )
4π~2
with g = m
a, where a is the S-wave scattering length

The equation of motion
Heisenberg equation for the field operator Ψ̂(r, t):
∂ Ψ̂(r, t)
= Ψ̂(r, t), Ĥ

i~
∂t
2 2
~ ∇
Z
= − + Vext (r) + dr0 Ψ̂† (r0 , t)V (r − r0 )Ψ̂(r, t) Ψ̂(r, t)
2m
Assume T=0 ⇒ neglect perturbation-term Ψ̂0 (r):
2 2
~ ∇
Z
∂ 0 0 ∗ 0
i ~ Φ(r, t) = − + Vext (r) + dr V (r − r )Φ (r , t)Φ(r, t) Φ(r, t)
∂t 2m
Insert the effective potential V (r − r0 ) = g δ (r − r0 )
What we get is ...

Deploying the mean-field approximation and the effective potential yields
The Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE)

2 2
∂ ~ ∇ 2
i ~ Φ(r, t) = − + Vext (r) + g |Φ(r, t)| Φ(r, t)
∂t 2m
With Φ(r, t) = Φ(r)e−i µt /~ , we obtain the static GPE:
2 2
~ ∇ 2
µΦ(r) = − + Vext (r) + g |Φ(r)| Φ(r)
2m
derived by Eugene P. Gross and Lev P. Pitaevskii independently in 1961

Contents
1 Introduction
Vortices
4 Summary

Ground state
Compare with experimental data the

ground-state wave function calculated
--- neglecting interaction (ideal gas)

—– by deploying the GPE
The ideal gas description

fails to describe the BEC!
GPE results instead reproduce
experimental data very well
NNa = 80000, trap: spherical

(Dalfovo et al., 1999; exp. data: Hau et al., 1998)

Relevant scales in the system
3
The Gross Pitaevskii eq. is expected to work well if n |a| 1
→ few particles in a "scattering volume" |a|3
3
Typical values: |a| ∼ 1 − 6nm, n ∼ 1013 − 1015 cm−3 ⇒ n |a| < 10−3
Why cannot we neglect interactions ?
−3
Eint gN n̄ N 2 |a| aho |a|
≈ ∝ − 2
=N
Ekin N ~ωho Naho aho
|a|
Typical values: |a| /aho ∼ 10−3 ⇒ N aho ≈ 10 − 104

The ground state
The interaction strongly modifies the

shape of the ground state
Dependence on N
a > 0 → repulsive interaction
→ broadening of the wave function
Φ(r) gets "flattened"
N |a|
BEC wave function for various aho
in a spherical trap
For large N aaho ⇒ Φ(r) flat

∇2 Φ(r) is negligible at most parts of
the distribution
⇒ In this limit the GPE gives
The Thomas-Fermi approximation
g −1 [µ − Vext (r)] ∀ µ > Vext (r)

n(r) =
0 ∀ µ < Vext (r)
N aaho = 100, distance in aho
Analytical results! (Dalfovo et al., 1999[adapted])

Dynamics: Perturbations to the Ground State
Dynamics: time-dependent GP eq.

Write
Φ(r, t) = e−i µt /~ φ(r) + u(r)e−i ωt + v ∗ (r)ei ωt

Linearize the GPE
~ω u(r) = H0 − µ + 2g φ2 (r) u(r) + g φ2 (r)v (r)

−~ω v (r) = H0 − µ + 2g φ2 (r) v (r) + g φ2 (r)u(r)

2 2
∇
with H0 = − ~2m + Vext (r)

- Example: mL = 0 and mL = 2 oscillations
87
√
Rb atoms, axially sym. trap (λ = 8)
(Jin et al., 1996 [adapted])
Calculate eigenfrequencies of
oscillations for different N
Asymptotic regime
for N → ∞
→ Hydrodynamics (Jin et al., 1996 [adapted], Calculations: Edwards et al., Esry et al.,
Stringari)

Hydrodynamics
Limit N aaho 1: hydrodynamic theory of superfluids

√
Write Φ(r, t) = n(r, t)eiS(r,t)
The time-dependent Gross Pitaevskii equation gives
∂
n + ∇ (vn) = 0 continuity equation
∂t
with the velocity field v(r, t) = ~
m
∇S(r, t)
BEC is irrotational
The GPE gives also
~2 √ mv 2

∂ 2
m v + ∇ Vext + gn − √ ∇ n+ =0
∂t 2m n 2
Neglecting kinetic pressure → Euler equation for frictionless hydrodynamics
→ the BEC is superfluid

Start with Thomas-Fermi

Expanding BEC
Use the hydrodynamic equations
P3
Ansatz n(r, t) = a0 (t) − i=1 ai (t)r2i
is a solution of the equations
Parabolic shape is conserved
for all t → scaling
Size of the BEC given by
Ri (t) = Ri (0)bi (t)
For axially symmetric traps:
d2 ω⊥2
d2 ωz2
t= b ⊥ = 3
; b z = 2 2
dt 2 b⊥ bz dt 2 b⊥ bz
1ms, 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, 45ms
(Mewes et al., 1996) Solve numerically

For λ << 1 simple

analytical solutions for the
bi (t) can be found
Aspect ratio R⊥ /Z over t

—– Settings as in experi-
ment:
(a) λ = 0.099,
(b) λ = 0.065
−· Ideal gas
(Dalfovo et al., 1999, exp. data: (a) Ernst et al., 1998; (b) Stamper-Kurn
et al., 1998)

Vortices in a superfluid
√
Recall that Φ = neiS , v= ~
m
∇S
from which
∇ × v = 0 → irrotational flow
Φ single-valued → phase circulation = 2π`, ` integer
I I
m
∇S · ds = v · ds = 2π`
~
I
~ h
v · ds = 2π` = ` ≡ κ` (Onsager & Feynman)
m m
Tangential velocity in a vortex:
I
κ`
v · ds = 2π rv (r ) = κ` → v =
2π r

Vortices in the BCE
Quantized vortex along z-axis

p
φ(r) = n(r⊥ , z) exp (i `ϕ) , ` integer
Angular momentum along z-axis:

Lz = N `~
Tang. velocity vT = ~
mr⊥
`
(Ketterle et al., MIT)

The GPE yields
2 2
~2 `2

~ ∇ m 2 2 2 2
p p
+ + ω⊥ r⊥ + ωz z + gn(r⊥ , z) n(r⊥ , z) = µ n(r⊥ , z)

− 2
2m 2mr⊥ 2
⇒ For ` 6= 0: n(r⊥ , z) = 0 along z-axis due to the centrifugal term

Vortices
Numerical Calculation
NRb = 104 ,
spherical trap aho = 0.791µm
−·− ground state (` = 0)
——– vortex with ` = 1
−− vortex with ` = 1 for
an ideal gas
inset: xz-plane of the ` = 1 vortex

If a < 0: At what Ncr does the BEC collapse?
Simplified calculation for a spherical

trap:
Calculate the GP energy for a gaussian
ansatz with width w
Look for minimum of E(w)
Find Ncr for which local min. vanishes

- Evolution
add term to the GPE that describe three-body recombination:

~2 ∇2

∂ 2 i~ 4
−i ~ − + Vext (r) + g |Φ(r, t)| − K3 |Φ(r, t)| Φ(r, t) = 0
∂t 2m 2
16000 κ = 0, ν = 0.39
Vext (r) =
expt, κ = 0, ν = 0.39
1 ~2 kL2
mω 2 2
r⊥ + ν z 2 2
+κ 2
cos (kL z) κ = 4, ν = 0.39

2 2m 12000 κ = 4, ν = 1
κ = 0, ν = 1
κ = 0, ν = 5
Problem
N(t)
8000
K3 is not known ⇒ K3 has to be
fitted to experimental data 4000
ain = 7a0
However: no choice of K3 yields acol = -30a0
0
correct values for all observables at 0 10 20 30 40 50
the same time Time (ms)
(Adhikari, 2008)
Contents
1 Introduction
Vortices
4 Summary

Summary
The Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE) employs

a mean-field approach
an effective potential
3
and is thus applicable for cold (T = 0), dilute (n̄ |a| 1) BECs
GPE gives a good description of
perturbations to the ground state
hydrodynamic phenomena, e.g. free expansion and vortices
... but cannot describe processes that include depletion,
like the collapse of a BEC
Further information:
F. Dalfovo and S. Giorgini et al., Rev. Mod. Phys., 71, 3, 1999

backup slides

Gross Pitaevskii energy functional:
~2
Z
2
2 4
E[Φ] = dr − |∇Φ| + Vext Φ + g Φ

2m
δE
=0
δΦ∗
plus constraint Z
dr|Φ|2 = N → lagrange multiplier µ

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The Gross-Pitaevskii Equation and

the Hydrodynamic Expansion of BECs

(Mewes et al., 1996)

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 1

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 2

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 3

Description of the BEC ground state

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 4

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 5

Neglect all atom-atom interactions → atoms don’t "see" each other

⇒ Problem described by the Schrödinger Eq. for one particle HO

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 6

Axially symmetric traps:

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 7

Axially symmetric traps:

Density of a cold Bose gas

(Dalfovo et al., 1999)

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 7

Axially symmetric traps:

Density of a cold Bose gas

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 7

Interactions between atoms: can we neglect them?

Usually N is much larger

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 8

In general: Ψ̂(r) = ψα (r)âα , with

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 9

If the gas is cold and dilute...

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 10

Heisenberg equation for the field operator Ψ̂(r, t):

Insert the effective potential V (r − r0 ) = g δ (r − r0 )

What we get is ...

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 11

Deploying the mean-field approximation and the effective potential yields

The Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE)

derived by Eugene P. Gross and Lev P. Pitaevskii independently in 1961

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 12

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 13

Compare with experimental data the

--- neglecting interaction (ideal gas)

The ideal gas description

NNa = 80000, trap: spherical

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 14

Why cannot we neglect interactions ?

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 15

The interaction strongly modifies the

For large N aaho ⇒ Φ(r) flat

The Thomas-Fermi approximation

g −1 [µ − Vext (r)] ∀ µ > Vext (r)

Analytical results! (Dalfovo et al., 1999[adapted])

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 17

Dynamics: time-dependent GP eq.

Linearize the GPE

~ω u(r) = H0 − µ + 2g φ2 (r) u(r) + g φ2 (r)v (r)

−~ω v (r) = H0 − µ + 2g φ2 (r) v (r) + g φ2 (r)u(r)

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 18

(Jin et al., 1996 [adapted])

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 19

Limit N aaho  1: hydrodynamic theory of superfluids

26/11/2009 | Stefano Carignano | 20

Limit N aaho 1: hydrodynamic theory of superfluids