2008/08/13 by Michał Matuszewski, Michal Matuszewski, Tristram J. Alexander +1
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Antiferromagnetism #Bose–Einstein condensate #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Condensed matter physics #Domain (mathematical analysis) #Instability #Modulational instability #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Physics #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism #Quantum mechanics #Spin (aerodynamics) #cond-mat.other
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.78.023632
arxiv created 2008/08/13 · openalex publication_date 2008/08/27 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Antiferromagnetic condensates are generally believed not to display modulational instability and subsequent spin-domain formation. Here we demonstrate that in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field antiferromagnetic spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensates can undergo spatial modulational instability followed by the subsequent generation of spin domains. Employing numerical simulations for realistic conditions, we show how this effect can be observed in sodium condensates confined in an optical trap. Finally, we link this instability and spin-domain formation with stationary modes of the condensate.