Time-Dependent Feshbach Resonance Scattering and Anomalous Decay of a Na Bose-Einstein Condensate

Abstract

We study Feshbach resonance scattering in a time-dependent magnetic field. We explain the extremely rapid decay observed in a recent experiment investigating Feshbach resonances in a Na Bose-Einstein condensate. In our picture, the decay is stimulated by the formation of a molecular condensate of quasibound atom pairs. Another essential element is the concept of a global and a local resonance lifetime. The predicted decay rates are large, about 5 orders of magnitude larger than typical dipole decay rates, and 1 order larger than typical exchange decay rates. We point out the possible role of a Josephson-like oscillation between the atomic condensate and a long-range molecular condensate.