Theory of elementary excitations in unstable Bose-Einstein condensates

Leonhardt, U. and Kiss, T. and Ohberg, P. (2003) Theory of elementary excitations in unstable Bose-Einstein condensates. Physical Review A, 67 (3). ISSN 1050-2947 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.67.033602)

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Abstract

Like classical fluids, quantum gases may suffer from hydrodynamic instabilities. Our paper develops a quantum version of the classical stability analysis in fluids, the Bogoliubov theory of elementary excitations in unstable Bose-Einstein condensates. In unstable condensates the excitation modes have complex frequencies. We derive the normalization conditions for unstable modes such that they can serve in a mode decomposition of the noncondensed component. Furthermore, we develop approximative techniques to determine the spectrum and the mode functions. Finally, we apply our theory to sonic horizons - sonic black and white holes. For sonic white holes the spectrum of unstable modes turns out to be intrinsically discrete, whereas black holes may be stable.