Q-ball dynamics from atomic Bose-Einstein condensates

Apr, 2003
15 pages
Published in:
  • JCAP 08 (2003) 003
e-Print:
Report number:
  • CERN-TH-2003-092,
  • HIP-2003-23-TH

Citations per year

200420092014201920242014
Abstract: (arXiv)
Relativistic scalar field theories with a conserved global charge Q possess often (meta)stable spherically symmetric soliton solutions, called Q-balls. We elaborate on the perfect formal analogy which exists between Q-balls, and spherically symmetric solitons in certain non-relativistic atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, for which the dominant interatomic interaction can be tuned attractive. In a harmonic trap, present in existing experiments, the Q-ball solution is modified in an essential way. If the trap is significantly prolongated in one direction, however, then genuine solitons do appear, and actual experimental data can be obtained for some of the Q-ball properties studied numerically in the relativistic cosmological context, such as their formation and collisions. We also suggest conditions under which the same cosmologically relevant analogies could be extended to the fully three-dimensional case.
  • Q-ball: stability
  • boson: condensation
  • atom
  • soliton
  • field theory: scalar
  • symmetry: U(1)