Density modulations in an elongated Bose-Einstein condensate released from a disordered potential

D. Clément, P. Bouyer, A. Aspect, L. Sanchez-Palencia
2008 Physical Review A. Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics  
We observe large density modulations in time-of-flight images of elongated Bose-Einstein condensates, initially confined in a harmonic trap and in the presence of weak disorder. The development of these modulations during the time-of-flight and their dependence with the disorder are investigated. We render an account of this effect using numerical and analytical calculations. We conclude that the observed large density modulations originate from the weak initial density modulations induced by
more » ... e disorder, and not from initial phase fluctuations (thermal or quantum).
doi:10.1103/physreva.77.033631 fatcat:ju7umcfetzffti4rqnxca6nzse