Non equilibrium phase transition with gravitational-like interaction in a cloud of cold atoms
arXiv:1312.2436 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.133001
Abstract
We propose to use a cloud of laser cooled atoms in a quasi two dimensional trap to investigate a non equilibrium collapse phase transition in presence of gravitational-like interaction. Using theoretical arguments and numerical simulations, we show that, like in two dimensional gravity, a transition to a collapsed state occurs below a critical temperature. In addition and as a signature of the non equilibrium nature of the system, persistent particles currents, dramatically increasing close to the phase transition, are observed.
5 pages, 4 figures