BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION IN AN ATOMIC GAS WITH ATTRACTIVE INTERACTIONS

The behavior of a trapped atomic gas undergoing a Bose-Einstein conden sation is strongly influenced by the attractive interaction between pa rticles. The role played by such an interaction is analyzed by means o f a variation method. The critical number of atoms for a metastable st ate to exist is determined, The aspect ratio of condensed bosons in an anisotropic trap, the loss rate of atoms, and the excitation spectrum are studied. The vortex state is discussed.