Quantum dynamics and coherence properties of evaporatively cooled Bose-Einstein condensates

Summary form only given. We report the first successful use of direct quantum dynamical calculations of the cooling and formation of Bose-Einstein condensates of trapped atoms. The calculations utilize phase-space methods that have already proved successful in laser theory. Some of the computational results are very similar to those already observed experimentally. In particular, we find quantum evaporative cooling, followed by a clear transition to a condensate; this is strongly influenced by non-classical features of the quantum dynamics. The calculations indicate additional structure, which we interpret as spontaneous formation of vortices in small condensates. These originate in the residual orbital angular momentum of the trapped atoms, which was neglected in previous studies - and would provide a significant test of the present theory.