Periodic instanton method and macroscopic quantum tunneling between two weakly linked Bose-Einstein condensates

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Abstract
An alternative method is used to investigate the tunneling between two weakly linked Bose-Einstein condensates confined in double-well potential traps. The nonlinear interaction between the atoms in each well contributes to a finite chemical potential, which, with consideration of periodic instantons, leads to a remarkably high tunneling frequency. This result can be used to interpret the newly found macroscopic quantum self-trapping effect. Also an alternative kind of first-order crossover between different regions is predicted.