DYNAMICS OF COMPONENT SEPARATION IN A BINARY MIXTURE OF BOSE-EINSTEINCONDENSATES

We describe the first experiments that study in a controlled way the d ynamics of distinguishable and interpenetrating bosonic quantum fluids . We work with a two-component system of Bose-Einstein condensates in the \F = 1, m(f) = -1> and \2, 1> spin states of Rb-87. The two conden sates are created with complete spatial overlap, and in subsequent evo lution they undergo complex relative motions that tend to preserve the total density profile. The motions quickly damp out, leaving the cond ensates in a steady state with a non-negligible (and adjustable) overl ap region.