Momentum distribution of 1D Bose gases at the quasi-condensation crossover: theoretical and experimental investigation

We investigate the momentum distribution of weakly interacting 1D Bose gases at thermal equilibrium both experimentally and theoretically. Momentum distribution of single 1D Bose gases is measured using a focusing technique, whose resolution we improve via a guiding scheme. The momentum distribution compares very well with quantum Monte Carlo calculations for the Lieb-Liniger model at finite temperature, allowing for an accurate thermometry of the gas that agrees with (and improves upon) the thermometry based on in situ density fluctuation measurements. The quasi-condensation crossover is investigated via two different experimental parameter sets, corresponding to the two different sides of the crossover. Classical field theory is expected to correctly describe the quasi-condensation crossover of weakly interacting gases. We derive the condition of validity of the classical field theory, and find that, in typical experiments, interactions are too strong for this theory to be accurate. This is confirmed by a comparison between the classical field predictions and the numerically exact quantum Monte Carlo calculations.