Quantum Kinetic Theory of Condensate Growth: Comparison of Experiment and Theory

In a major extension of our previous model [Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 1793 (1997)] of condensate growth, we take account of the evolution of the occupations of lower trap levels, and of the full Bose-Einstein formula for the occupations of higher trap levels. We find good agreement with experiment, especially at higher temperatures. We also confirm the picture of the “kinetic” region of evolution, introduced by Kagan et al., for the time up to the initiation of the condensate. The behavior after initiation essentially follows our original growth equation, but with a substantially increased rate coefficient $W^{+}$.