Abstract
We study the spin dynamics of quasi-one-dimensional condensates both at zero and finite temperatures for arbitrary initial spin configurations. The rich dynamical evolution exhibited by these nonlinear systems is explained by surprisingly simple principles: minimization of energy at zero temperature and maximization of entropy at high temperature. Our analytical results for the homogeneous case are corroborated by numerical simulations for confined condensates in a wide variety of initial conditions. These predictions compare qualitatively well with recent experimental observations and can, therefore, serve as a guidance for ongoing experiments.
- Received 14 November 2006
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.020404
©2007 American Physical Society