Parametrically excited star-shaped patterns at the interface of binary Bose-Einstein condensates

A Faraday-wave-like parametric instability is investigated via mean-field and Floquet analysis in immiscible binary Bose-Einstein condensates. The condensates form a so-called ball-shell structure in a two-dimensional harmonic trap. To trigger the dynamics, the scattering length of the core condensate is periodically modulated in time. We reveal that in the dynamics the interface becomes unstable towards the formation of oscillating patterns. The interface oscillates subharmonically, exhibiting an m-fold rotational symmetry that can be controlled by maneuvering the amplitude and the frequency of the modulation. Using Floquet analysis we are able to predict the generated interfacial tension of the mixture and derive a dispersion relation for the natural frequencies of the emergent patterns. A heteronuclear system composed of Rb-87-Rb-85 atoms can be used for the experimental realization of the phenomenon, yet our results are independent of the specifics of the employed atomic species and of the parameters such as scattering lengths and trap strengths at which the driving is applied.