GROWTH AND COLLAPSE OF A BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE WITH ATTRACTIVE INTERACTIONS

We consider the dynamics of a quantum degenerate trapped gas of Li-7 a toms. Because the atoms have a negative s-wave scattering length, a Bo se condensate of Li-7 becomes mechanically unstable when the number of condensate atoms approaches a maximum value. We calculate the dynamic s of the collapse that occurs when the unstable point is reached. In a ddition, we use the quantum Boltzmann equation to investigate the none quilibrium kinetics of the atomic distribution during and after evapor ative cooling. The condensate is found to undergo many cycles of growt h and collapse before a stationary state is reached.