Momentum distribution of an interacting Bose-condensed gas at finite temperature

Abstract

We use a semiclassical two-fluid model to study the momentum distribution of a Bose-condensed gas with repulsive interactions inside a harmonic trap at finite temperature, with specific focus on atomic hydrogen. We give particular attention to the average kinetic energy, which is almost entirely associated with the thermal cloud. A non-linear dependence of the kinetic energy on temperature is displayed, affording a precise way to assess the temperature of the gas. We also show that the kinetic energy increases with the strength of the interactions, reflecting an enhanced rate of depletion of the condensate with increasing temperature.