Bose-Einstein Condensation with Internal Degrees of Freedom in Alkali Atom Gases

Abstract

The Bogoliubov theory is extended to a Bose-Einstein condensation with internal degrees of freedom, realized recently in $^{23}$Na gases where several hyperfine states are simultaneously cooled optically. Starting with a Hamiltonian constructed from general gauge and spin rotation symmetry principles fundamental equations for condensate are derived. The ground state where time reversal symmetry is broken in some case and low-lying collective modes, e.g. spin and density wave modes, are discussed. Novel vortex as a topological defect can be created experimentally.