Strength of the vortex-pinning interaction from real-time dynamics

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Astrophysics
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Vortex-pinning interactions are crucial in neutron stars, superconductors, and cold atom systems.
• Existing methods for calculating these interactions suffer from uncertainties, leading to literature disagreements, especially for the vortex-nucleus interaction in neutron stars.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an efficient and general real-time dynamics method for computing vortex-pinning interactions at arbitrary separations.
• To overcome limitations of static energy difference comparisons, particularly concerning matter redistribution and ensemble choices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing real-time dynamics simulations to compute vortex-pinning interactions.
• Demonstrating the method with Gross-Pitaevskii-like equations for the unitary Fermi gas.
• Employing adiabatic state preparation with time-dependent simulations for fermionic systems.

Main Results:

• The new method provides accurate calculations of vortex-pinning interactions, resolving ambiguities in previous approaches.
• Successfully validated the method for the unitary Fermi gas.
• Showcased its applicability to fermionic systems, including the vortex-nucleus interaction in neutron star crusts.

Conclusions:

• The real-time dynamics method offers a robust and general solution for calculating vortex-pinning interactions.
• This technique enhances our understanding of fundamental physics in neutron stars and other quantum systems.
• It paves the way for more accurate investigations into phenomena like the vortex-nucleus interaction.