Variational Bose-Hubbard model revisited

Abstract

For strongly interacting bosons in optical lattices the standard description using Bose-Hubbard model becomes questionable. The role of excited bands becomes important. In such a situation we compare results of simulations using multiband Bose-Hubbard model with a recent proposition based on a time dependent variational approach. It is shown that the latter, in its original formulation, uses too small variational space leading often to spurious effects. Possible expansion of variational approach is discussed.