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Abstract

Open quantum systems theory is central to describing the dynamics and equilibration of dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). We present an analysis of the linearized stochastic projected Gross-Pitaevskii equation (SPGPE) describing finite-temperature BECs. Our treatment provides an optimal choice for the cut-off that divides the Bose gas into the low-energy coherent region forming a classical wave, and the high-energy thermal cloud treated as a reservoir. Moreover, it highlights the relevance of energy damping, the number-conserving scattering between thermal and coherent atoms. We analyze the equilibrium properties and near-equilibrium relaxation of a homogeneous BEC in one, two and three dimensions at high phase-space density, and calculate the autocorrelation function and power spectrum of the density and phase fluctuations. Simulations of the full non-linear SPGPE are in close agreement, and extend our arguments beyond the linear regime. Our work suggests the need for a re-examination of decay processes in BECs studied under the neglect of energy damping.