Abstract
We derive an exact solution to the Thomas-Fermi equation for a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) which has dipole-dipole interactions as well as the usual -wave contact interaction, in a harmonic trap. Remarkably, despite the nonlocal anisotropic nature of the dipolar interaction the solution is an inverted parabola, as in the pure -wave case, but with a different aspect ratio. We explain in detail the mathematical tools necessary to describe dipolar BECs with or without cylindrical symmetry. Various properties such as electrostriction and stability are discussed.
- Received 20 August 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.71.033618
©2005 American Physical Society