Fractional-period excitations in continuum periodic systems

Journal article

We investigate the generation of fractional-period states in continuum periodic systems. As an example, we consider a Bose-Einstein condensate confined in an optical-lattice potential. We show that when the potential is turned on nonadiabatically, the system explores a number of transient states whose periodicity is a fraction of that of the lattice. We illustrate the origin of fractional-period states analytically by treating them as resonant states of a parametrically forced Duffing oscillator and discuss their transient nature and potential observability. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

Authors: Nistazakis, H; Porter, M; Kevrekidis, P; Frantzeskakis, D; Nicolin, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: PHYSICAL REVIEW A
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 6
• Publication date: 2006-12-01
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.74.063617
• EISSN: 1094-1622
• ISSN: 1050-2947
• Language: English