Abstract
Using a model potential approach, we study the time-dependent behavior of a Bose-Einstein condensate with negative scattering length during its collapse in the zero-temperature limit. The condensate is modeled through an effective potential, which linearizes the Schrödinger equation, in order to obtain an intuitive visualization of the dynamics of the condensate. We find that a substantial fraction of the condensate survives the collapse. The origin for this survival is the reappearance of a barrier in the effective potential during the collapse. In contrast to previous calculations, the present calculations indicate that the size of the residual condensate strongly depends on the growth rate of the condensate. The present results are compared to other theoretical calculations and to experimental work.
- Received 25 August 1999
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.62.013601
©2000 American Physical Society