Experimentalists use particles as tracers in liquid helium. The intrusive effects of particles on the dynamics of vortices remain poorly understood. We implement a study of how basic well understood vortex states, such as a propagating pair of oppositely signed vortices, change in the presence of particles by using a simple model based on the Magnus force. We focus on the 2D case, and compare the analytic and semi-analytic model with simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation with particles modelled by dynamic external potentials. The results confirm that the Magnus force model is an effective way to approximate vortex-particle motion either with closed-form simplified solutions or with a more accurate numerically solvable ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Furthermore, we increase the complexity of the vortex states and show that the suggested semi-analytical model remains robust in capturing the dynamics observed in the GP simulations.Experimentalists use particles as tracers in liquid helium. The intrusive effects of particles on the dynamics of vortices remain poorly understood. We implement a study of how basic well understood vortex states, such as a propagating pair of oppositely signed vortices, change in the presence of particles by using a simple model based on the Magnus force. We focus on the 2D case, and compare the analytic and semi-analytic model with simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation with particles modelled by dynamic external potentials. The results confirm that the Magnus force model is an effective way to approximate vortex-particle motion either with closed-form simplified solutions or with a more accurate numerically solvable ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Furthermore, we increase the complexity of the vortex states and show that the suggested semi-analytical model remains robust in capturing the dynamics observed in the GP simulations.

arXiv:1909.11010Sep 22, 20190 citations

Particles and fields in superfluids: Insights from the two-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation

Vishwanath Shukla, Rahul Anil Pandit, Marc Brächet

We carry out extensive direct numerical simulations to investigate the interaction of active particles and fields in the two-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii superfluid, in both simple and turbulent flows. The particles are active in the sense that they affect the superfluid even as they are affected by it. We tune the mass of the particles, which is an important control parameter. At the one-particle level, we show how light, neutral, and heavy particles move in the superfluid, when a constant external force acts on them; in particular, beyond a critical velocity, at which a vortex-antivortex pair is emitted, particle motion can be periodic or chaotic. We demonstrate that the interaction of a particle with vortices leads to dynamics that depends sensitively on the particle characteristics. We also demonstrate that assemblies of particles and vortices can have rich, and often turbulent, spatiotemporal evolution. In particular, we consider the dynamics of the following illustrative initial configurations: (a) one particle placed in front of a translating vortex-antivortex pair; (b) two particles placed in front of a translating vortex-antivortex pair; (c) a single particle moving in the presence of counter-rotating vortex clusters; (d) four particles in the presence of counter-rotating vortex clusters. We compare our work with earlier studies and examine its implications for recent experimental studies in superfluid helium and Bose-Einstein condensates.We carry out extensive direct numerical simulations to investigate the interaction of active particles and fields in the two-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii superfluid, in both simple and turbulent flows. The particles are active in the sense that they affect the superfluid even as they are affected by it. We tune the mass of the particles, which is an important control parameter. At the one-particle level, we show how light, neutral, and heavy particles move in the superfluid, when a constant external force acts on them; in particular, beyond a critical velocity, at which a vortex-antivortex pair is emitted, particle motion can be periodic or chaotic. We demonstrate that the interaction of a particle with vortices leads to dynamics that depends sensitively on the particle characteristics. We also demonstrate that assemblies of particles and vortices can have rich, and often turbulent, spatiotemporal evolution. In particular, we consider the dynamics of the following illustrative initial configurations: (a) one particle placed in front of a translating vortex-antivortex pair; (b) two particles placed in front of a translating vortex-antivortex pair; (c) a single particle moving in the presence of counter-rotating vortex clusters; (d) four particles in the presence of counter-rotating vortex clusters. We compare our work with earlier studies and examine its implications for recent experimental studies in superfluid helium and Bose-Einstein condensates.

arXiv:1710.10107Physical Review AJan 24, 201818 citations

Dynamics of active particles in superfluids and their interaction with quantum vortices

Umberto Giuriato

Superfluids are inviscid flows in which vorticity is supported on filaments with quantized circulation. Such objects, known as quantum vortices, exhibit a hydrodynamical behavior. Experimentally, the dynamics of superfluids has been studied by using particles, which nowadays have become the main tool for visualizing quantum vortices. In this Thesis, we study numerically and analytically the dynamics of active and finite-size particles in superfluids. The superfluid is modeled with the Gross–Pitaevskii equation, while the particles are implemented as moving repulsive potentials coupled with the macroscopic wave function describing the superfluid. Firstly, the model is used to investigate the interaction between particles and quantum vortices at very low temperatures. This part aims to give a theoretical background to the current experiments in which macroscopic particles are used to sample superfluid vortices and quantum turbulence. Specifically, we address the following problems: the capture of a particle by a quantum vortex, the reconnections of vortex filaments and the propagation of Kelvin waves in presence trapped particles and the dynamics of particles in decaying quantum turbulence. In the last part of the manuscript, finite temperature effects are studied in the Fourier-truncated Gross–Pitaevskii model. The goal is to characterize the dynamics of impurities immersed in a thermal bath and how their presence modifies the statistical properties of the fluid. In particular, the random motion of the impurities and the temperature dependence of the friction coefficient are studied. Finally, the clustering of impurities and its effect on the phase transitions of the condensate are investigated.Superfluids are inviscid flows in which vorticity is supported on filaments with quantized circulation. Such objects, known as quantum vortices, exhibit a hydrodynamical behavior. Experimentally, the dynamics of superfluids has been studied by using particles, which nowadays have become the main tool for visualizing quantum vortices. In this Thesis, we study numerically and analytically the dynamics of active and finite-size particles in superfluids. The superfluid is modeled with the Gross–Pitaevskii equation, while the particles are implemented as moving repulsive potentials coupled with the macroscopic wave function describing the superfluid. Firstly, the model is used to investigate the interaction between particles and quantum vortices at very low temperatures. This part aims to give a theoretical background to the current experiments in which macroscopic particles are used to sample superfluid vortices and quantum turbulence. Specifically, we address the following problems: the capture of a particle by a quantum vortex, the reconnections of vortex filaments and the propagation of Kelvin waves in presence trapped particles and the dynamics of particles in decaying quantum turbulence. In the last part of the manuscript, finite temperature effects are studied in the Fourier-truncated Gross–Pitaevskii model. The goal is to characterize the dynamics of impurities immersed in a thermal bath and how their presence modifies the statistical properties of the fluid. In particular, the random motion of the impurities and the temperature dependence of the friction coefficient are studied. Finally, the clustering of impurities and its effect on the phase transitions of the condensate are investigated.

Nov 20, 20200 citations

Interaction between active particles and quantum vortices leading to Kelvin wave generation

Umberto Giuriato, Giorgio Krstulovic

One of the main features of superfluids is the presence of topological defects with quantised circulation. These objects are known as quantum vortices and exhibit a hydrodynamic behaviour. Nowadays, particles are the main experimental tool used to visualise quantum vortices and to study their dynamics. We use a self-consistent model based on the three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation to explore theoretically and numerically the attractive interaction between particles and quantized vortices at very low temperature. Particles are described as localised potentials depleting the superfluid and following Newtonian dynamics. We are able to derive analytically a reduced central-force model that only depends on the classical degrees of freedom of the particle. Such model is found to be consistent with the GP simulations. We then generalised the model to include deformations of the vortex filament. The resulting long-range mutual interaction qualitatively reproduces the observed generation of a cusp on the vortex filament during the particle approach. Moreover, we show that particles can excite Kelvin waves on the vortex filament through a resonance mechanism even if they are still far from it.One of the main features of superfluids is the presence of topological defects with quantised circulation. These objects are known as quantum vortices and exhibit a hydrodynamic behaviour. Nowadays, particles are the main experimental tool used to visualise quantum vortices and to study their dynamics. We use a self-consistent model based on the three-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation to explore theoretically and numerically the attractive interaction between particles and quantized vortices at very low temperature. Particles are described as localised potentials depleting the superfluid and following Newtonian dynamics. We are able to derive analytically a reduced central-force model that only depends on the classical degrees of freedom of the particle. Such model is found to be consistent with the GP simulations. We then generalised the model to include deformations of the vortex filament. The resulting long-range mutual interaction qualitatively reproduces the observed generation of a cusp on the vortex filament during the particle approach. Moreover, we show that particles can excite Kelvin waves on the vortex filament through a resonance mechanism even if they are still far from it.

arXiv:1811.05342Scientific ReportsMar 20, 201931 citations

Magnus force in discrete and continuous two-dimensional superfluids

Z. Gecse, Sergei Khlebnikov

Motion of vortices in two-dimensional superfluids in the classical limit is studied by solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation numerically on a uniform lattice. We find that, in the presence of a superflow directed along one of the main lattice periods, vortices move with the superflow on fine lattices but perpendicular to it on coarse ones. We interpret this result as a transition from the full Magnus force in a Galilean-invariant limit to vanishing effective Magnus force in a discrete system, in agreement with the existing experiments on vortex motion in Josephson junction arrays.Motion of vortices in two-dimensional superfluids in the classical limit is studied by solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation numerically on a uniform lattice. We find that, in the presence of a superflow directed along one of the main lattice periods, vortices move with the superflow on fine lattices but perpendicular to it on coarse ones. We interpret this result as a transition from the full Magnus force in a Galilean-invariant limit to vanishing effective Magnus force in a discrete system, in agreement with the existing experiments on vortex motion in Josephson junction arrays.

arXiv:cond-mat/0503717Physical Review BAug 29, 20051 citation

Transverse forces on vortices in superfluids in a periodic potential

Edouard B Sonin

The paper analyzes the transverse forces (the Magnus and the Lorentz forces) on vortices in superfluids put into periodic potentials at $T=0$ . The case of weak potential and the tight-binding limit described by the Bose-Hubbard model were addressed. The analysis was based on the balance of true momentum and quasimomentum. A special attention was paid to the superfluid close to the superfluid-insulator transition. In this area of the phase diagram the theory predicts the particle-hole symmetry line where the Magnus force changes sign with respect to that expected from the sign of velocity circulation. Our analysis has shown that the magnitude of the Magnus force is a continuous function at crossing the particle-hole symmetry line. This challenges the theory connecting the magnitude of the Magnus force with topological Chern numbers and predicting a jump at crossing this line. Disagreement is explained by the role of intrinsic pinning and guided vortex motion ignored in the topological approach. It is one more evidence that in general topological arguments are not sufficient for derivation of equations of vortex motion.The paper analyzes the transverse forces (the Magnus and the Lorentz forces) on vortices in superfluids put into periodic potentials at $T=0$. The case of weak potential and the tight-binding limit described by the Bose-Hubbard model were addressed. The analysis was based on the balance of true momentum and quasimomentum. A special attention was paid to the superfluid close to the superfluid-insulator transition. In this area of the phase diagram the theory predicts the particle-hole symmetry line where the Magnus force changes sign with respect to that expected from the sign of velocity circulation. Our analysis has shown that the magnitude of the Magnus force is a continuous function at crossing the particle-hole symmetry line. This challenges the theory connecting the magnitude of the Magnus force with topological Chern numbers and predicting a jump at crossing this line. Disagreement is explained by the role of intrinsic pinning and guided vortex motion ignored in the topological approach. It is one more evidence that in general topological arguments are not sufficient for derivation of equations of vortex motion.

arXiv:1607.01352Physical review. B./Physical review. BAug 29, 20161 citation

The paper analyzes the transverse forces (the Magnus and the Lorentz forces) on vortices in superfluids put into periodic potentials at

T=0

. The case of weak potential and the tight-binding limit described by the Bose-Hubbard model were addressed. The analysis was based on the balance of true momentum and quasimomentum. A special attention was paid to the superfluid close to the superfluid-insulator transition. In this area of the phase diagram the theory predicts the particle-hole symmetry line where the Magnus force changes sign with respect to that expected from the sign of velocity circulation. Our analysis has shown that the magnitude of the Magnus force is a continuous function at crossing the particle-hole symmetry line. This challenges the theory connecting the magnitude of the Magnus force with topological Chern numbers and predicting a jump at crossing this line. Disagreement is explained by the role of intrinsic pinning and guided vortex motion ignored in the topological approach. It is one more evidence that in general topological arguments are not sufficient for derivation of equations of vortex motion.