We develop a practical theoretical formalism for studying the critical properties of a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate using the projected Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We show that this approach allows us investigate the behavior of the correlation length, condensate mode and its number fluctuations about the critical point. Motivated by recent experiments [Science {\bf 315}, 1556 (2007)] we calculate the critical exponent for the correlation length, observe clear finite-size effects, and develop characteristic length scales to characterize the finite-size influences. We extend the Binder cumulant to the trapped system and discuss an experimental method for measuring number fluctuations.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

The magnetically induced Richtmyer-Meshkov instability in a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate is investigated. We construct and study analytical models describing the development of the instability at both the linear and nonlinear stages. The models indicate new features of the instability: the influence of quantum capillary waves and the separation of droplets, which are qualitatively different from the classical case. We perform numerical simulations of the instability in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate using the Gross-Pitaevskii equation and compare the simulation results to the model predictions.

The dynamics of an interface in a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate driven by a spatially uniform time-dependent force is studied. Starting from the Gross-Pitaevskii Lagrangian, the dispersion relation for linear waves and instabilities at the interface is derived by means of a variational approach. A number of diverse dynamical effects for different types of the driving force is demonstrated, which includes the Rayleigh-Taylor instability for a constant force, the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability for a pulse force, dynamic stabilization of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and onset of the parametric instability for an oscillating force. Gaussian Markovian and non-Markovian stochastic forces are also considered. It is found that the Markovian stochastic force does not produce any average effect on the dynamics of the interface, while the non-Markovian force leads to exponential perturbation growth.

We develop a computationally tractable method for calculating correlation functions of the finite temperature trapped Bose gas that includes the effects of s-wave interactions. Our approach uses a classical field method to model the low energy modes and treats the high energy modes using a Hartree-Fock description. We present results of first and second order correlation functions, in position and momentum space, for an experimentally realistic system in the temperature range of 0.6Tc to 1.0Tc. We also characterize the spatial coherence length of the system. Our theory should be applicable in the critical region where experiments are now able to measure first and second order correlations.