Spin synchronization in a finite temperature F=1 Bose-Einstein condensate

ORAL

Abstract

The out-of-equilibrium spinor evolution of an ultracold spin-1 thermal Bose gas is characterized by population oscillations driven via coherent spin-mixing collisions. Despite its multi-spatial-mode nature, the thermal gas dynamics match those of a single-spatial-mode spinor BEC in the mean-field regime with a modified oscillation period resulting from lower density. But in a BEC at finite temperature, condensed and thermal components coexist and are coupled through collisions. We report on the synchronization of spin oscillations between these components in a harmonic trapping potential and discuss approaches to modelling this system.

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Authors

  • Donald Fahey

    • Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland

  • Arne Schwettmann

    • University of Oklahoma

  • Gil Summy

    • Oklahoma State University

  • Jamie Luskin

    • Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland

  • Paul Lett

    • Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland