Dynamical coupled-channel approaches on a momentum lattice

Dynamical coupled-channel approaches are a widely used tool in hadronic physics that allow to analyze different reactions and partial waves in a consistent way. In such approaches the basic interactions are derived within an effective Lagrangian framework and the resulting pseudo-potentials are then unitarized in a coupled-channel scattering equation. We propose a scheme that allows for a solution of the arising integral equation in discretized momentum space for periodic as well as twisted boundary conditions. This permits to study finite size effects as they appear in lattice QCD simulations. The new formalism, at this stage with a restriction to S-waves, is applied to coupled-channel models for the sigma(600), f0(980), and a0(980) mesons, and also for the Lambda(1405) baryon. Lattice spectra are predicted.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Helicity Amplitudes of the Lambda(1670) and two Lambda(1405) as dynamically generated resonances

We determine the helicity amplitudes A_1/2 and radiative decay widths in the transition Lambda(1670) to gamma Y (Y=Lambda or Sigma^0). The Lambda(1670) is treated as a dynamically generated resonance in meson-baryon chiral dynamics. We obtain the radiative decay widths of the Lambda(1670) to gamma Lambda as 3 \pm 2 keV and to gamma Sigma^0 as 120 \pm 50 keV. Also, the Q^2 dependence of the helicity amplitudes A_1/2 is calculated. We find that the K Xi component in the Lambda(1670) structure, mainly responsible for the dynamical generation of this resonance, is also responsible for the significant suppression of the decay ratio Gamma_{gamma Lambda}/Gamma_{gamma Sigma^0}. A measurement of the ratio would, thus, provide direct access to the nature of the Lambda(1670). To compare the result for the Lambda(1670), we calculate the helicity amplitudes A_1/2 for the two states of the Lambda(1405). Also, the analytic continuation of Feynman parameterized integrals of more complicated loop amplitudes to the complex plane is developed which allows for an internally consistent evaluation of A_1/2.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

Pulsed pumping of a Bose-Einstein condensate

In this work, we examine a system for coherent transfer of atoms into a Bose-Einstein condensate. We utilize two spatially separate Bose-Einstein condensates in different hyperfine ground states held in the same dc magnetic trap. By means of a pulsed transfer of atoms, we are able to show a clear resonance in the timing of the transfer, both in temperature and number, from which we draw conclusions about the underlying physical process. The results are discussed in the context of the recently demonstrated pumped atom laser.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, published in Physical Review

Bosenova and three-body loss in a Rb-85 Bose-Einstein condensate

Collapsing Bose-Einstein condensates are rich and complex quantum systems for which quantitative explanation by simple models has proved elusive. We present new experimental data on the collapse of high density Rb-85 condensates with attractive interactions and find quantitative agreement with the predictions of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. The collapse data and measurements of the decay of atoms from our condensates allow us to put new limits on the value of the Rb-85 three-body loss coefficient K_3 at small positive and negative scattering lengths.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Scalar mesons moving in a finite volume and the role of partial wave mixing

Phase shifts and resonance parameters can be obtained from finite-volume lattice spectra for interacting pairs of particles, moving with nonzero total momentum. We present a simple derivation of the method that is subsequently applied to obtain the pi pi and pi K phase shifts in the sectors with total isospin I=0 and I=1/2, respectively. Considering different total momenta, one obtains extra data points for a given volume that allow for a very efficient extraction of the resonance parameters in the infinite-volume limit. Corrections due to the mixing of partial waves are provided. We expect that our results will help to optimize the strategies in lattice simulations, which aim at an accurate determination of the scattering and resonance properties.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure

Optically trapped atom interferometry using the clock transition of large Rb-87 Bose-Einstein condensates

We present a Ramsey-type atom interferometer operating with an optically trapped sample of 10^6 Bose-condensed Rb-87 atoms. The optical trap allows us to couple the |F =1, mF =0>\rightarrow |F =2, mF =0> clock states using a single photon 6.8GHz microwave transition, while state selective readout is achieved with absorption imaging. Interference fringes with contrast approaching 100% are observed for short evolution times. We analyse the process of absorption imaging and show that it is possible to observe atom number variance directly, with a signal-to-noise ratio ten times better than the atomic projection noise limit on 10^6 condensate atoms. We discuss the technical and fundamental noise sources that limit our current system, and outline the improvements that can be made. Our results indicate that, with further experimental refinements, it will be possible to produce and measure the output of a sub-shot-noise limited, large atom number BEC-based interferometer. In an addendum to the original paper, we attribute our inability to observe quantum projection noise to the stability of our microwave oscillator and background magnetic field. Numerical simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equations for our system show that dephasing due to spatial dynamics driven by interparticle interactions account for much of the observed decay in fringe visibility at long interrogation times. The simulations show good agreement with the experimental data when additional technical decoherence is accounted for, and suggest that the clock states are indeed immiscible. With smaller samples of 5 \times 10^4 atoms, we observe a coherence time of {\tau} = (1.0+0.5-0.3) s.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures Addendum: 11 pages, 6 figure

Easy collective polarization switching in ferroelectrics

The actual mechanism of polarization switching in ferroelectrics remains a puzzle for many decades, since the usually estimated barrier for nucleation and growth is insurmountable ("paradox of the coercive field"). To analyze the mechanisms of the nucleation we consider the exactly solvable case of a ferroelectric film with a "dead" layer at the interface with electrodes. The classical nucleation is easier in this case but still impossible, since the calculated barrier is huge. We have found that the {\em interaction} between the nuclei is, however, long range, hence one has to study an {\em ensemble} of the nuclei. We show that there are the ensembles of small (embryonic) nuclei that grow {\em without the barrier}. We submit that the interaction between nuclei is the key point for solving the paradox.Comment: 5 pages, REVTeX 3.1 with one eps-figure. Corrected discussion of single stripe and cylindrical nuclei, and their interaction. The estimate for equilibrium density of embryonic nuclei is added. To appear in Phys. Rev. Letter