Persistent currents with non-quantized angular momentum

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of non-quantized persistent currents in Bose-Einstein condensates, revealing continuous angular momentum states and elucidating the mechanisms behind hysteresis loops observed in experiments.

Contribution

It introduces 3D stationary currents with non-quantized angular momentum generated by solitary waves, bridging different winding numbers and explaining hysteresis phenomena.

Findings

Existence of non-quantized persistent currents in BECs.

Solitary waves form continuous angular momentum states.

Hysteresis loop size linked to solitary wave energy barriers.

Abstract

We analyze the generation of persistent currents in Bose-Einstein condensates of ultracold gases confined in a ring. This phenomenon has been recently investigated in an experiment [Nature \textbf{506}, 200 (2014)], where hysteresis loops have been observed in the activation of quantized persistent currents by rotating weak links. In this work, we demonstrate the existence of 3D stationary currents with non-quantized angular momentum. They are generated by families of solitary waves that show a continuous variation in the angular momentum, and provide a bridge between different winding numbers. We show that the size of hysteresis loops is determined by the range of existence within the weak link region of solitary waves which configure the energy barrier preventing phase slips. The barrier vanishes when the critical rotation leads winding numbers and solitonic states to a matching configuration. At this point, Landau and Feynman criteria for phase slips meet: the fluid flow reaches the local speed of sound, and stationary vortex lines (which are the building blocks of solitons) can be excited inside the system.