Friction in a Model of Hamiltonian Dynamics

Abstract

We study the motion of a heavy tracer particle weakly coupled to a dense ideal Bose gas exhibiting Bose-Einstein condensation. In the so-called mean-field limit, the dynamics of this system approaches one determined by nonlinear Hamiltonian evolution equations describing a process of emission of Cerenkov radiation of sound waves into the Bose-Einstein condensate along the particle's trajectory. The emission of Cerenkov radiation results in a friction force with memory acting on the tracer particle and causing it to decelerate until it comes to rest.