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Polygons of quantized vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates with a circular trap
Angel Paredes1, José R Salgueiro1, Humberto Michinel1
1Instituto de Física e Ciencias Aeroespaciais (IFCAE), Universidade de Vigo, Campus de As Lagoas, 32004 Ourense, Spain.
Physical Review. E
|May 18, 2023
Summary
We found stable, rotating polygon structures of vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). These unique configurations, featuring a central antivortex and surrounding vortices, offer insights into quantum fluid dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter formed by cooling atoms to near absolute zero.
- Understanding nonlinear dynamics in BECs is crucial for quantum technologies.
- Vortices in BECs are topological defects that exhibit complex behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and stability of stationary nonlinear wave structures in a 2D Bose-Einstein condensate.
- To characterize rotating polygonal configurations of vortices and antivortices.
- To analyze the stability and evolution of these vortex structures.
Main Methods:
- Solving the 2D time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation numerically.
- Analyzing vortex dynamics and stability through real-time simulations.
- Deriving approximate expressions for the angular velocity of vortex polygons.
Main Results:
- Identified unique, static, and seemingly stable regular polygon solutions of vortices around a central antivortex.
- Found that these polygonal structures rotate with a specific angular velocity.
- Observed that other symmetric configurations exist but are unstable.
- Characterized instabilities arising from vortex motion, annihilation, and inherent vortex instability.
Conclusions:
- A stable triangular vortex-antivortex configuration is a unique solution in this Bose-Einstein condensate system.
- The stability of these structures is influenced by competing rotational effects and vortex dynamics.
- Numerical simulations provide crucial insights into the stability and potential breakdown of these quantum vortex states.
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