C. Lee and J. Brand 2006 Europhys. Lett. 73 321 doi:10.1209/epl/i2005-10408-4
C. Lee1,2 and J. Brand1
Show affiliationsMatter-wave bright solitons are predicted to reflect from a purely attractive potential well although they are macroscopic objects with classical particle-like properties. The non-classical reflection occurs at small velocities and a pronounced switching to almost perfect transmission above a critical velocity is found, caused by nonlinear mean-field interactions. Full numerical results from the nonlinear Schrödinger equation are complimented by a two-mode variational calculation to explain the predicted effect, which can be used for velocity filtering of solitons. The experimental realization with laser-induced potentials or two-component Bose-Einstein condensates is suggested.
Issue 3 (February 2006)
Received 21 September 2005, accepted for publication 5 December 2005, in final form 5 December 2005
Published 23 December 2005
C. Lee and J. Brand 2006 Europhys. Lett. 73 321