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An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Nonclassical velocity statistics in a turbulent atomic Bose-Einstein condensate
A C White1, C F Barenghi, N P Proukakis
1School of Mathematics and Statistics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, United Kingdom. ang.c.white@gmail.com
Physical Review Letters
|April 7, 2010
Summary
Researchers found non-Gaussian velocity statistics in quantum turbulence, similar to superfluid helium experiments. This suggests a fundamental property of quantum turbulence in Bose-Einstein condensates and classical vortex systems.
Area of Science:
- Quantum turbulence
- Atomic Bose-Einstein condensates
- Superfluid helium
Background:
- Ordinary turbulence exhibits Gaussian velocity statistics.
- Previous experiments in superfluid helium showed non-Gaussian velocity statistics.
- Quantum turbulence is a complex phenomenon with unique characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate turbulent velocity statistics in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates.
- To compare findings with observations in superfluid helium and classical systems.
- To determine if non-Gaussian statistics are a fundamental property of quantum turbulence.
Main Methods:
- Creation of a 3D turbulent state in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate.
- Direct computation of the velocity field.
- Analysis of vortex tangle decay in the presence of a thermal cloud.
- Comparison with 2D trapped and 3D homogeneous condensates, and classical 2D vortex point systems.
Main Results:
- Observed nonclassical power-law tails in velocity statistics, deviating from Gaussian distributions.
- Confirmed similar non-Gaussian statistics in various condensate geometries and classical vortex systems.
- Tracked the decay dynamics of vortex tangles within the condensate.
Conclusions:
- Non-Gaussian turbulent velocity statistics appear to be a fundamental characteristic of quantum turbulence.
- Findings support the universality of these statistical properties across different quantum and classical turbulent systems.
- The study provides insights into the behavior of quantum turbulence and vortex dynamics.
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