Limits of validity for a semiclassical mean-field two-fluid model for Bose-Einstein condensation thermodynamics

Abstract

We reinvestigate the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) thermodynamics of a weakly interacting dilute Bose gas under the action of a trap using a semiclassical two-fluid mean-field model in order to find the domain of applicability of the model. Such a model is expected to break down once the condition of diluteness and weak interaction is violated. We find that this breakdown happens for values of coupling and density near the present experimental scenario of BEC. With the increase of the interaction coupling and density the model may lead to unphysical results for thermodynamic observables.