We solve the time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation by a variational ansatz to calculate the excitation spectrum of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a trap. The trial wave function is a Gaussian which allows an essentially analytical treatment of the problem. Our results reproduce numerical calculations over the whole range from small to large particle numbers, and agree exactly with the Stringari results in the strong interaction limit. Excellent agreement is obtained with the recent JILA experiment and predictions for the negative scattering length case are also made.

We obtain analytic solutions to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with negative scattering length in highly asymmetric traps. We find that in these traps the Bose-Einstein condensates behave like quasiparticles and do not expand when the trapping in one direction is eliminated. The results can be applicable to the control of the motion of Bose-Einstein condensates.

A variational technique is applied to solve the time-dependent nonlinear Schrödinger equation (Gross-Pitaevskii equation) with the goal to model the dynamics of dilute ultracold atom clouds in the Bose-Einstein condensed phase. We derive analytical predictions for the collapse, equilibrium widths, and evolution laws of the condensate parameters and find them to be in very good agreement with our numerical simulations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. It is found that not only the number of particles, but also both the initial width of the condensate and the effect of different perturbations to the condensate may play a crucial role in the collapse dynamics. The results are applicable when the shape of the condensate is sufficiently simple.

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We study a four-level atomic system with electromagnetically induced transparency with giant ${\chi }^{(3)}$ and ${\chi }^{(5)}$ susceptibilities of opposite signs. This system will allow us to obtain multidimensional solitons and light condensates with surface tension properties analogous to those of usual liquids.

An optical vortex is a screw dislocation in a light field that carries quantized orbital angular momentum and, due to cancellations of the twisting along the propagation axis, experiences zero intensity at its center. When viewed in a perpendicular plane along the propagation axis, the vortex appears as a dark region in the center surrounded by a bright concentric ring of light. We give detailed instructions for generating optical vortices and optical vortex structures by computer-generated holograms and describe various methods for manipulating the resulting structures.