Dynamics of optomechanical droplets in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We investigate numerically a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate illuminated by off-resonant laser light which is retroreflected by a single feedback mirror. Studying the ground states of the system, we find density structures which are self-trapped via the optomechanical action of the diffracted light. We show that these structures are stable and exhibit Newtonian dynamics. We propose that these results allow continuous, nondestructive monitoring of condensate dynamics via the optical intensity and may offer opportunities for optical control and transport of coherent matter via gradients in optical phase alone.