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Superfluid Instability and Critical Velocity in Two and Three Dimensions

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Physics of Quantum Fluids

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences ((SSSOL,volume 177))

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Abstract

Using the mean-field GP equation, we study the dynamics of superfluid dilute Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in the regime where the flow velocity reaches a critical value above which stationary currents are impossible. We present results for two- and three-dimensional BECs in two different geometries: a toroidal and a waveguide configuration, and also discuss the behavior of the critical current, or critical velocity, establishing a general criterion for the breakdown of stationary superfluid flows.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INO-CNR, BEC Center and Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy

    F. Piazza & A. Smerzi

  2. Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Mail Stop B214, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA

    L. A. Collins

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  1. F. Piazza
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  2. L. A. Collins
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  3. A. Smerzi
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Correspondence to F. Piazza .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Place Jussieu 4, Paris, 75005, France

    Alberto Bramati

  2. del Pais Vasco, UPV/EHU, Dpto. de Fisica Téorica e Historia, IKERBASQUE & Universidad, Apdo. 644, Bilbao, 48080, Spain

    Michele Modugno

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Piazza, F., Collins, L.A., Smerzi, A. (2013). Superfluid Instability and Critical Velocity in Two and Three Dimensions. In: Bramati, A., Modugno, M. (eds) Physics of Quantum Fluids. Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences, vol 177. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37569-9_12

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