Wave-packet dynamics in nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Abstract

Coherent states play an important role in quantum mechanics because of their unique properties under time evolution. Here we explore this concept for one-dimensional repulsive nonlinear Schrödinger equations, which describe weakly interacting Bose-Einstein condensates or light propagation in a nonlinear medium. It is shown that the dynamics of phase-space translations of the ground state of a harmonic potential is quite simple: The center follows a classical trajectory whereas its shape does not vary in time. The parabolic potential is the only one that satisfies this property. We study the time evolution of these nonlinear coherent states under perturbations of their shape or of the confining potential. A rich variety of effects emerges. In particular, in the presence of anharmonicities, we observe that the packet splits into two distinct components. A fraction of the wavepacket is transferred toward incoherent high-energy modes, while the amplitude of oscillation of the remaining coherent component is damped toward the bottom of the well.