Symmetry breaking bifurcation in Nonlinear Schrodinger /Gross-Pitaevskii Equations

Abstract

We consider a class of nonlinear Schrodinger / Gross-Pitaveskii (NLS-GP) equations, i.e. NLS with a linear potential. We obtain conditions for a symmetry breaking bifurcation in a symmetric family of states as N, the squared L^2 norm (particle number, optical power), is increased. In the special case where the linear potential is a double-well with well separation L, we estimate N_{cr}, the symmetry breaking threshold. Along the ``lowest energy'' symmetric branch, there is an exchange of stability from the symmetric to asymmetric branch as N is increased beyond N_{cr}.