Formation and quench of homonuclear and heteronuclear quantum droplets in one dimension

We study the impact of beyond Lee-Huang-Yang (LHY) physics, especially due to intercomponent correlations, in the ground state and the quench dynamics of one-dimensional quantum droplets with an ab initio nonperturbative approach. It is found that the droplet Gaussian-shaped configuration arising for intercomponent attractive couplings becomes narrower for stronger intracomponent repulsion and transits towards a flat-top structure either for larger particle numbers or weaker intercomponent attraction. Additionally, a harmonic trap prevents the flat-top formation. At the balance point where mean-field interactions cancel out, we show that a correlation hole is present in the few-particle limit of LHY fluids as well as for flat-top droplets. Introducing mass imbalance, droplets experience intercomponent mixing and excitation signatures are identified for larger masses. Monitoring the droplet expansion (breathing motion) upon considering interaction quenches to stronger (weaker) attractions, we explicate that beyond LHY correlations result in a reduced velocity (breathing frequency). Strikingly, the droplets feature two-body anticorrelations (correlations) at the same position (longer distances). Our findings pave the way for probing correlation-induced phenomena of droplet dynamics in current ultracold-atom experiments.

Automated summary

The study investigates the impact of intercomponent correlations beyond Lee-Huang-Yang physics on one-dimensional quantum droplets using a nonperturbative approach. The findings show that droplets exhibit Gaussian-shaped configuration with intercomponent attractive couplings, which becomes narrower with stronger intracomponent repulsion and transitions to a flat-top structure under certain conditions. Furthermore, a correlation hole is present at the balance point, and introducing mass imbalance leads to intercomponent mixing and excitation signatures.