Quantum-field dynamics of expanding and contracting Bose-Einstein condensates

Abstract

We analyze the dynamics of quantum statistics in a harmonically trapped Bose-Einstein condensate, whose two-body interaction strength is controlled via a Feshbach resonance. From an initially noninteracting coherent state, the quantum field undergoes Kerr squeezing, which can be qualitatively described with a single mode model. To render the effect experimentally accessible, we propose a homodyne scheme, based on two h2008 The American Physical Societyyperfine components, which converts the quadrature squeezing into number squeezing. The scheme is numerically demonstrated using a two-component Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov formalism.