Quantum Spin Dynamics in a Normal Bose Gas with Spin-orbit Coupling

Abstract

In this Letter, we investigate spin dynamics of a two-component Bose gas with spin-orbit coupling realised in cold atom experiments. We derive coupled hydrodynamic equations for number and spin densities as well as their associated currents. Specialising to quasi-one-dimensional situation, we obtain analytic solutions of the spin helix structure and its dynamics in both adiabatic and diabatic regimes. In the adiabatic regime, the transverse spin decays parabolically in the short-time limit and exponentially in the long time limit, depending on initial polarisation. In contrast, in the diabatic regime, transverse spin density and current oscillate in a way similar to the charge-current oscillation in an undamped LC circuit. The effects of Rabi coupling on the short-time spin dynamics is also discussed. Finally, using realistic experimental parameters for $^{87}$Rb, we show that the time scales for spin dynamics is of order of milliseconds to a few seconds and can be observed experimentally.