Discrete nonlinear dynamics of weakly coupled Bose–Einstein condensates.

The dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a periodic potential is governed by a discrete nonlinear equation. The interplay/competition between discreteness (introduced by the lattice) and nonlinearity (due to the interatomic interaction) manifests itself on nontrivial dynamical regimes which disappear in the continuum (translationally invariant) limit, and have been recently observed experimentally. We review some recent efforts on this highly interdisciplinary field, with the goal of stimulating interexchanges among the communities of condensed matter, quantum optics, and nonlinear physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]