We study nonlinear modulation of collective excitations in disk-shaped Bose-Einstein condensates with a repulsive interatomic interaction. Using a method of multiple scales we show that the nonlinear evolution of a wave packet, formed by the superposition of short-wavelength excitations, and a long-wavelength mean field, generated by the self-interaction of the wave packet, are governed by Davey-Stewartson (DS) equations. Consequently, two-dimensional soliton (dromion) solutions can develop and propagate. We further derive a set of DS equations with variable coefficients for the situation where a slowly varying trapping potential in transverse directions has been taken into consideration. Finally, the dromion solutions and their stability are investigated by numerical simulations.

• Received 15 December 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.72.036621