Spatially partitioned many-body vortices

TL;DR

This paper introduces many-body vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates, which are spatially-partitioned, fragmented objects with definite angular momentum, extending beyond traditional mean-field descriptions.

Contribution

It presents the concept of many-body vortices, characterized by spatial partitioning and fragmentation, and provides a phase diagram predicting their occurrence beyond mean-field theory.

Findings

Many-body vortices are spatially-partitioned and fragmented.

They carry definite total angular momentum.

A phase diagram predicts where these vortices occur.

Abstract

A vortex in Bose-Einstein condensates is a localized object which looks much like a tiny tornado storm. It is well described by mean-field theory. In the present work we go beyond the current paradigm and introduce many-body vortices. These are made of {\it spatially-partitioned} clouds, carry definite total angular momentum, and are fragmented rather than condensed objects which can only be described beyond mean-field theory. A phase diagram based on a mean-field model assists in predicting the parameters where many-body vortices occur. Implications are briefly discussed.