Pinning Transition of Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Ring Resonators

Phys Rev Lett. 2018 Nov 30;121(22):223601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.223601.

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the dynamic instability of Bose-Einstein condensates in an optical ring resonator that is asymmetrically pumped in both directions. We find that, beyond a critical resonator-pump detuning, the system becomes stable regardless of the pump strength. Phase diagrams and quenching curves are presented and described by numerical simulations. We discuss a physical explanation based on a geometric interpretation of the underlying nonlinear equations of motion.