Spin dynamics and structure formation in a spin-1 condensate in a magnetic field

Abstract

We study the dynamics of a trapped spin-1 condensate in a magnetic field. First, we analyze the homogeneous system, for which the dynamics can be understood in terms of orbits in phase space. We analytically solve for the dynamical evolution of the populations of the various Zeeman components of the homogeneous system. This result is then applied via a local density approximation to trapped quasi-1D condensates. Our analysis of the trapped system in a magnetic field shows that both the mean-field and Zeeman regimes are simultaneously realized, and we argue that the border between these two regions is where spin domains and phase defects are generated. We propose a method to experimentally tune the position of this border.