Abstract

Quantum theory predicts that Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of a spatially homogeneous gas with attractive interactions is precluded by a conventional phase transition into either a liquid or solid.¹ When confined to a trap, however, such a condensate can form² provided that its occupation number N₀ does not exceed a limiting value.^3,4 The stability limit is determined by a balance between self-attraction and a repulsion arising from position-momentum uncertainty under conditions of spatial confinement. Near the stability limit, self-attraction can overwhelm the repulsion, causing the condensate to collapse.^5-8 Growth of the condensate, therefore, is punctuated by intermittent collapses,^9,10 which are triggered either by macroscopic quantum tunneling or thermal fluctuation.

© 2001 Optical Society of America