Abstract This chapter is devoted to discussing some key superfluid properties exhibited by dilute Bose gases confined in external traps. Key issues concern the behaviour of the critical velocity and the applicability of Landau’s criterion for superfluidity, the moment of inertia and its quenching caused by the irrotationality of the superfluid motion, the scissors mode, and the expansion of a rotating superfluid cloud. Rotational effects at high angular velocities, with the appearance of quantized vortices and vortex lattices, are also considered. The chapter also discusses the consequences for vortices on the collective oscillations of the trapped gas, the stability and the precession of vortex lines, and the nature of the superfluid flow in toroidal traps.Abstract This chapter is devoted to discussing some key superfluid properties exhibited by dilute Bose gases confined in external traps. Key issues concern the behaviour of the critical velocity and the applicability of Landau’s criterion for superfluidity, the moment of inertia and its quenching caused by the irrotationality of the superfluid motion, the scissors mode, and the expansion of a rotating superfluid cloud. Rotational effects at high angular velocities, with the appearance of quantized vortices and vortex lattices, are also considered. The chapter also discusses the consequences for vortices on the collective oscillations of the trapped gas, the stability and the precession of vortex lines, and the nature of the superfluid flow in toroidal traps.

Jan 1, 20160 citations

Vortices and vortex lattices in quantum ferrofluids

A. Martin, Neil G. Marchant, Duncan H J O’Dell +1 more

The experimental realization of quantum-degenerate Bose gases made of atoms with sizeable magnetic dipole moments has created a new type of fluid, known as a quantum ferrofluid, which combines the extraordinary properties of superfluidity and ferrofluidity. A hallmark of superfluids is that they are constrained to rotate through vortices with quantized circulation. In quantum ferrofluids the long-range dipolar interactions add new ingredients by inducing magnetostriction and instabilities, and also affect the structural properties of vortices and vortex lattices. Here we give a review of the theory of vortices in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates, exploring the interplay of magnetism with vorticity and contrasting this with the established behaviour in non-dipolar condensates. We cover single vortex solutions, including structure, energy and stability, vortex pairs, including interactions and dynamics, and also vortex lattices. Our discussion is founded on the mean-field theory provided by the dipolar Gross-Pitaevskii equation, ranging from analytic treatments based on the Thomas-Fermi (hydrodynamic) and variational approaches to full numerical simulations. Routes for generating vortices in dipolar condensates are discussed, with particular attention paid to rotating condensates, where surface instabilities drive the nucleation of vortices, and lead to the emergence of rich and varied vortex lattice structures. We also present an outlook, including potential extensions to degenerate Fermi gases, quantum Hall physics, toroidal systems and the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.The experimental realization of quantum-degenerate Bose gases made of atoms with sizeable magnetic dipole moments has created a new type of fluid, known as a quantum ferrofluid, which combines the extraordinary properties of superfluidity and ferrofluidity. A hallmark of superfluids is that they are constrained to rotate through vortices with quantized circulation. In quantum ferrofluids the long-range dipolar interactions add new ingredients by inducing magnetostriction and instabilities, and also affect the structural properties of vortices and vortex lattices. Here we give a review of the theory of vortices in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates, exploring the interplay of magnetism with vorticity and contrasting this with the established behaviour in non-dipolar condensates. We cover single vortex solutions, including structure, energy and stability, vortex pairs, including interactions and dynamics, and also vortex lattices. Our discussion is founded on the mean-field theory provided by the dipolar Gross-Pitaevskii equation, ranging from analytic treatments based on the Thomas-Fermi (hydrodynamic) and variational approaches to full numerical simulations. Routes for generating vortices in dipolar condensates are discussed, with particular attention paid to rotating condensates, where surface instabilities drive the nucleation of vortices, and lead to the emergence of rich and varied vortex lattice structures. We also present an outlook, including potential extensions to degenerate Fermi gases, quantum Hall physics, toroidal systems and the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.

arXiv:1606.07107Journal of Physics Condensed MatterFeb 1, 201742 citations

Dynamical properties of vortices in superfluid systems

Ertugrul Demircan

Jan 1, 19970 citations

Traces of Vortices in Superfluid Helium Droplets

Luis F. Gomez, Evgeny Loginov, Andrey F. Vilesov

We report on the observation of vortices in superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ droplets produced in the expansion of liquid He. The vortices were traced by introducing Ag atoms, which clustered along the vortex lines, into the droplets. The Ag clusters were subsequently surface-deposited and imaged via electron microscopy. The prevalence of elongated track-shaped deposits shows that vortices are present in droplets larger than about 300 nm and that their lifetime exceeds a few milliseconds. We discuss the possible formation mechanisms and the stability of the vortices.We report on the observation of vortices in superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ droplets produced in the expansion of liquid He. The vortices were traced by introducing Ag atoms, which clustered along the vortex lines, into the droplets. The Ag clusters were subsequently surface-deposited and imaged via electron microscopy. The prevalence of elongated track-shaped deposits shows that vortices are present in droplets larger than about 300 nm and that their lifetime exceeds a few milliseconds. We discuss the possible formation mechanisms and the stability of the vortices.

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyFeb 29, 20120 citations

We report on the observation of vortices in superfluid

^{4}\mathrm{He}

droplets produced in the expansion of liquid He. The vortices were traced by introducing Ag atoms, which clustered along the vortex lines, into the droplets. The Ag clusters were subsequently surface-deposited and imaged via electron microscopy. The prevalence of elongated track-shaped deposits shows that vortices are present in droplets larger than about 300 nm and that their lifetime exceeds a few milliseconds. We discuss the possible formation mechanisms and the stability of the vortices.