Dynamical properties of a condensate in a moving random potential

Abstract

We study the dynamics of an inhomogeneous Bose-Einstein condensate subject to a one-dimensional harmonic trap and a moving random potential of finite extent. Above the critical velocity, a part of a condensate glues to the moving random potential with a consequent displacement of the condensate center-of-mass along the harmonic trap. We show that the center-of-mass turning point provides a direct measure of the average drag force acting on the condensate.