Three-dimensional simulation of jet formation in collapsing condensates

Abstract

We numerically study the behaviour of collapsing and exploding condensates using the parameters of the experiments by Donley et al (2001 Nature 412 295). Our studies are based on a full three-dimensional numerical solution of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation (GPE) including three-body loss. We determine the three-body loss rate from the number of remnant condensate atoms and collapse times, and obtain only one possible value which fits with the experimental results. We then study the formation of jet atoms by interrupting the collapse, and find very good agreement with the experiment. Furthermore, we investigate the sensitivity of the jets to the initial conditions. According to our analysis, the dynamics of the burst atoms is not described by the GPE with three-body loss incorporated.