Merging of vortices and antivortices in polariton superfluids

TL;DR

This paper theoretically explores how increasing polariton density in superfluids can deterministically annihilate vortex-antivortex pairs, advancing understanding of quantum fluid dynamics and control.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for vortex-antivortex annihilation in polariton superfluids through density manipulation, a new approach in quantum fluid control.

Findings

Vortex-antivortex annihilation can be achieved by increasing local polariton density.

An array of vortex-antivortex pairs can be completely eliminated using this method.

The study provides a controllable way to manipulate quantum vortices in polariton fluids.

Abstract

Quantised vortices are remarkable manifestations on a macroscopic scale of the coherent nature of quantum fluids, and the study of their properties is of fundamental importance for the understanding of this peculiar state of matter. Cavity-polaritons, due to their double light-matter nature, offer a unique controllable environment to investigate these properties. In this work we theoretically investigate the possibility to deterministically achieve the annihilation of a vortex with an antivortex through the increase of the polariton density in the region surrounding the vortices. Moreover we demonstrate that by means of this mechanism an array of vortex-antivortex pairs can be completely washed out.