Quantitative Comparison between Theoretical Predictions and Experimental Results for the BCS-BEC Crossover

Theoretical predictions for the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer–Bose-Einstein condensation crossover of trapped Fermi atoms are compared with recent experimental results for the density profiles of ${}^{\mathrm{6}}\mathrm{L}\mathrm{i}$. The calculations rest on a single theoretical approach that includes pairing fluctuations beyond mean-field. Excellent agreement with experimental results is obtained. Theoretical predictions for the zero-temperature chemical potential and gap at the unitarity limit are also found to compare extremely well with Quantum Monte Carlo simulations and with recent experimental results.