title: Interaction-tuned dynamical transitions in a Rashba spin-orbit-coupled Fermi gas.
abstract: We consider the time evolution of the magnetization in a Rashba spin-orbit coupled Fermi gas, starting from a fully polarized initial state. We model the dynamics using a Boltzmann equation, which we solve in the Hartree-Fock approximation. The resulting nonlinear system of equations gives rise to three distinct dynamical regimes with qualitatively different asymptotic behaviors of the magnetization at long times. The distinct regimes and the transitions between them are controlled by the ratio of interaction and spin-orbit coupling strength λ: for small λ, the magnetization decays to zero. For intermediate λ, it displays undamped oscillations about zero, and for large λ, a partially magnetized state is dynamically stabilized. The dynamics we find is a spin analog of interaction induced self-trapping in double-well Bose Einstein condensates. The predicted phenomena can be realized in trapped Fermi gases with synthetic spin-orbit interactions.
authors.affiliation: Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA and Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA.
authors.forename: Juraj
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Radić
authors.affiliation: Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA and Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA.
authors.forename: Stefan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Natu
authors.affiliation: Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA and Condensed Matter Theory Center, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galitski