We study the dynamics of phase relaxation between a pair of one-dimensional condensates created by a supersonic unzipping of a single condensate. We use the Lorentz invariance of the low energy sector of such systems to show that dephasing results in an unusual prethermal state, in which right- and left-moving excitations have different, Doppler-shifted temperatures. The chirality of these modes can be probed experimentally by measuring the interference fringe contrasts with the release point of the split condensates moving at another supersonic velocity. Further, an accelerated motion of the release point can be used to observe a spacelike analog of the Unruh effect. A concrete experimental realization of the quantum zipper for a BEC of trapped atoms on an atom chip is outlined.

• Received 5 March 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.190401