Evolution of a spinor condensate:: Coherent dynamics, dephasing, and revivals -: art. no. 063619

We present measurements and a theoretical model for the interplay of spin-dependent interactions and external magnetic fields in atomic spinor condensates. We highlight general features such as quadratic Zeeman dephasing and its influence on coherent spin mixing processes by focusing on a specific coherent superposition state in a F=1 Rb-87 Bose-Einstein condensate. In particular, we observe the transition from coherent spinor oscillations to the thermal equilibration.