Vortex molecules in Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper explores the creation and control of complex vortex structures, called N-omers, in multi-component Bose-Einstein condensates, and examines how Rabi couplings influence vortex lattice configurations.

Contribution

It introduces the construction and classification of stable vortex N-omers in multi-component BECs and analyzes the impact of Rabi couplings on vortex lattice structures.

Findings

Stable vortex N-omers are constructed and classified.

Vortex lattice structures evolve with Rabi coupling, connecting different lattice types.

Abrikosov lattices are robust in three-component BECs.

Abstract

Stable vortex dimers are known to exist in coherently coupled two component Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). We construct stable vortex trimers in three component BECs and find that the shape can be controlled by changing the internal coherent (Rabi) couplings. Stable vortex N-omers are also constructed in coherently coupled N-component BECs. We classify all possible N-omers in terms of the mathematical graph theory. Next, we study effects of the Rabi coupling in vortex lattices in two-component BECs. We find how the vortex lattices without the Rabi coupling known before are connected to the Abrikosov lattice of integer vortices with increasing the Rabi coupling. In this process, vortex dimers change their partners in various ways at large couplings. We then find that the Abrikosov lattices are robust in three-component BECs.