Dynamical formation of quantum droplets in a K 39 mixture

Abstract

We report on the dynamical formation of self-bound quantum droplets in attractive mixtures of K39 atoms. Considering the experimental observations of Semeghini et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 235301 (2018)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.120.235301], we perform numerical simulations to understand the relevant processes involved in the formation of a metastable droplet from an out-of-equilibrium mixture. We first analyze the so-called self-evaporation mechanism, where the droplet dissipates energy by releasing atoms, and then we consider the effects of losses due to three-body recombinations and to the balancing of populations in the mixture. We discuss the importance of these three mechanisms in the observed droplet dynamics and their implications for future experiments.