Vortex interactions in the collision of Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper studies how vortex interactions influence interference patterns during collisions of Bose-Einstein condensates, revealing distinct patterns based on vortex types and oscillation regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of vortex interactions in BEC collisions, highlighting the impact on interference pattern formation and identifying linear and nonlinear oscillation regimes.

Findings

Vortex interactions produce distinguishable interference patterns.

Different vortex charges lead to unique interference signatures.

Linear and nonlinear regimes affect the collision dynamics and patterns.

Abstract

We investigate the effects of vortex interaction on the formation of interference patterns in a coherent pair of two-dimensional Bose condensed clouds of ultra-cold atoms traveling in opposite directions subject to a harmonic trapping potential. We identify linear and nonlinear regimes in the dipole oscillations of the condensates according to the balance of internal and centre-of-mass energies of the clouds. Simulations of the collision of two clouds each containing a vortex with different winding number (charge) were carried out in these regimes in order to investigate the creation of varying interference patterns. The interaction between different vortex type can be clearly distinguished by those patterns.