The phase of the mean-field wave function of a Bose-Einstein condensate can be recovered from a time series of images. We adapt an iterative retrieval method that has been successful in linear electron and optical imaging systems to solve the nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We address a number of issues related to the successful application of this method to the nonlinear system, including the retrieval of wave functions with nonzero net topological charge (i.e., containing vortices) and the effects of repulsive and attractive interactions in the condensate on the convergence properties of the method. Recovering the phase from the continuity-of-density equation is also investigated. An understanding of these issues is of importance for the practical implementation of phase retrieval to Bose-Einstein condensates.

• Received 19 March 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.76.053606