Energetically stable particlelike skyrmions in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Mechanics

Background:

• Topological solitons like Skyrmions are crucial in various physics fields.
• Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) offer a versatile platform for studying quantum phenomena.
• Stabilizing complex structures in BECs is a key experimental challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate the stability of a 3D Skyrmion in a trapped two-component atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.
• To identify conditions for energetically stable 3D Skyrmions relevant to experimental parameters.
• To explore methods for preventing Skyrmion collapse and drift in BECs.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations of a two-component atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.
• Analysis of Skyrmion stability under varying trap potentials and experimental parameters.
• Investigation of stabilization mechanisms including separate species conservation and external potentials (rotation, laser).

Main Results:

• A topologically nontrivial 3D Skyrmion can be energetically stable in a trapped two-component atomic BEC.
• Parameters for 87Rb condensate experiments were considered, showing feasibility.
• Separate conservation of atomic species prevents Skyrmion shrinking.
• Rotation or laser potential can prevent Skyrmion drift caused by trap-induced gradients.

Conclusions:

• 3D Skyrmions can be stabilized in realistic atomic Bose-Einstein condensate experiments.
• The findings provide a pathway for realizing and controlling topological structures in quantum gases.
• This work opens possibilities for exploring novel quantum phases and applications of topological matter.