Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review Letters

Inertial Mass of a Moving Singularity in a Fermi Superfluid

Ji-Min Duan, Anthony J. Leggett

Published Feb 24, 1992• 137 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We reconsider the problem of the inertial mass of vortex lines in both neutral and charged $s$-wave Fermi superfluids at $T=0$, taking into account the difference between amplitude and phase motion, Fermi-liquid effects, and electromagnetic screening. Our results are consistent with earlier estimates as regards order of magnitude, but differ from them in detail.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.68.1216

Related papers

Superfluid compressibility and the inertial mass of a moving singularity

Ji-Min Duan

The concept of finite compressibility of a Fermi superfluid is used to reconsider the problem of inertial mass of vortex lines in both neutral and charged superfluids at T=0. For the charged case, in contrast to previous works where perfect screening was assumed, we take proper account of electromagnetic screening and solve the bulk charge distribution caused by a moving vortex line. A similar problem for a superconducting thin film is also considered.

Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Jul 1, 1993•38 citations

Dynamical signature of vortex mass in Fermi superfluids

Andrea Richaud, Matteo Caldara, Massimo Capone +2 more

Quantum vortices are commonly described as funnel-like objects around which the superfluid swirls, and their motion is typically modeled in terms of massless particles. Here we show that in Fermi superfluids the normal component confined in the vortex core provides the vortex with a finite inertial mass. This inertia imparts an unambiguous signature to the dynamic behavior of vortices, specifically manifesting as small-amplitude transverse oscillations which remarkably follow the prediction of a simple point-like model supplemented by an effective mass. We demonstrate this phenomenon through large-scale time-dependent simulations of Fermi superfluids across a wide range of interaction parameters, at both zero and finite temperatures, and for various initial conditions. Our findings pave the way for the exploration of inertial effects in superfluid vortex dynamics.

arXiv:2410.12417•Physical Review A•Nov 21, 2025•1 citation

Vortex mass in a superfluid

Tapio Simula

We consider the inertial mass of a vortex in a superfluid. We obtain a vortex mass that is well defined and is determined microscopically and self-consistently by the elementary excitation energy of the kelvon quasiparticle localized within the vortex core. The obtained result for the vortex mass is found to be consistent with experimental observations on superfluid quantum gases and vortex rings in water. We propose a method to measure the inertial rest mass and Berry phase of a vortex in superfluid Bose and Fermi gases.

arXiv:1704.08410•Physical Review A•Feb 6, 2018•44 citations

Vortex mass in superfluid Fermi gases along the BEC-BCS crossover

Lucas Levrouw, Hiromitsu Takeuchi, Jacques Tempere

Vortex mass is a key concept in the study of superfluid dynamics, referring to the inertia of vortices in a superfluid, which affects their motion and behavior. Despite being an important quantity, the vortex mass has never been observed experimentally, and remains an unresolved issue in this field. As of now, a large body of research assumes that the vortex mass is a local parameter. In contrast, we present a calculation that suggests a logarithmic dependence on the system size, agreeing with some earlier predictions in the context of Bose gases. We analyze the problem using an effective field theory that describes ultracold atomic Fermi gases over the BEC-BCS crossover at both zero and nonzero temperatures. Our study reveals a strong dependence of the vortex mass on the scattering length; in particular, the vortex mass grows rapidly when moving toward the BCS side. Furthermore, we find that the system-size dependence of the vortex mass results in values an order of magnitude larger than those predicted by other models for realistic system sizes. This implies that the vortex mass could be observable in a wider parameter range than was previously expected. This is particularly relevant considering recent advances in experimental techniques that place the observation of vortex mass in superfluid Fermi gases within reach.

arXiv:2505.12590•Physical Review A•Sep 17, 2025•1 citation

Vortex motion in charged and neutral superfluids: A hydrodynamic approach

Edouard B Sonin, V. B. Geshkenbeǐn, Anne van Otterlo +1 more

We derive a Galilean invariant expression for the electric field induced by a vortex moving through a charged superfluid at $T=0$, which holds for any superconductor, from the dirty to the superclean limit. The contribution of different areas around the vortex to the average electric field and to the charge distribution is analyzed. The results are extended to a neutral system, where the chemical potential takes over the role of the electrostatic potential in the charged situation. Different contributions to the vortex mass in charged and neutral superfluids are brought together for comparison and discussion.

Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Jan 1, 1998•134 citations

Inertial Mass of a Moving Singularity in a Fermi Superfluid

Ji-Min Duan, Anthony J. Leggett

Physical Review Letters•Aug 17, 1992•7 citations
We reconsider the problem of the inertial mass of vortex lines in both neutral and charged sss-wave Fermi superfluids at T=0T=0T=0, taking into account the difference between amplitude and phase motion, Fermi-liquid effects, and electromagnetic screening. Our results are consistent with earlier estimates as regards order of magnitude, but differ from them in detail.
Quantum vortices are commonly described as funnel-like objects around which the superfluid swirls, and their motion is typically modeled in terms of massless particles. Here we show that in Fermi superfluids the normal component confined in the vortex core provides the vortex with a finite inertial mass. This inertia imparts an unambiguous signature to the dynamic behavior of vortices, specifically manifesting as small-amplitude transverse oscillations which remarkably follow the prediction of a simple point-like model supplemented by an effective mass. We demonstrate this phenomenon through large-scale time-dependent simulations of Fermi superfluids across a wide range of interaction parameters, at both zero and finite temperatures, and for various initial conditions. Our findings pave the way for the exploration of inertial effects in superfluid vortex dynamics.
We consider the inertial mass of a vortex in a superfluid. We obtain a vortex mass that is well defined and is determined microscopically and self-consistently by the elementary excitation energy of the kelvon quasiparticle localized within the vortex core. The obtained result for the vortex mass is found to be consistent with experimental observations on superfluid quantum gases and vortex rings in water. We propose a method to measure the inertial rest mass and Berry phase of a vortex in superfluid Bose and Fermi gases.
Vortex mass is a key concept in the study of superfluid dynamics, referring to the inertia of vortices in a superfluid, which affects their motion and behavior. Despite being an important quantity, the vortex mass has never been observed experimentally, and remains an unresolved issue in this field. As of now, a large body of research assumes that the vortex mass is a local parameter. In contrast, we present a calculation that suggests a logarithmic dependence on the system size, agreeing with some earlier predictions in the context of Bose gases. We analyze the problem using an effective field theory that describes ultracold atomic Fermi gases over the BEC-BCS crossover at both zero and nonzero temperatures. Our study reveals a strong dependence of the vortex mass on the scattering length; in particular, the vortex mass grows rapidly when moving toward the BCS side. Furthermore, we find that the system-size dependence of the vortex mass results in values an order of magnitude larger than those predicted by other models for realistic system sizes. This implies that the vortex mass could be observable in a wider parameter range than was previously expected. This is particularly relevant considering recent advances in experimental techniques that place the observation of vortex mass in superfluid Fermi gases within reach.
We derive a Galilean invariant expression for the electric field induced by a vortex moving through a charged superfluid at T=0T=0T=0, which holds for any superconductor, from the dirty to the superclean limit. The contribution of different areas around the vortex to the average electric field and to the charge distribution is analyzed. The results are extended to a neutral system, where the chemical potential takes over the role of the electrostatic potential in the charged situation. Different contributions to the vortex mass in charged and neutral superfluids are brought together for comparison and discussion.