Universal coarsening dynamics of a quenched ferromagnetic spin-1 condensate

TL;DR

This paper shows that a quenched ferromagnetic spin-1 condensate in two dimensions exhibits universal coarsening behavior over time, with different dynamics depending on the final magnetic phase, highlighting the role of vortices and domain structures.

Contribution

It reveals the universal coarsening dynamics of a quenched spin-1 condensate, including the impact of symmetry and vortex structures, which was not previously understood.

Findings

Universal coarsening observed in late-time dynamics.

Different critical exponents for easy-axis and easy-plane phases.

Fractal domain structures and vortex roles identified.

Abstract

We demonstrate that a quasi-two-dimensional spin-1 condensate quenched to a ferromagnetic phase undergoes universal coarsening in its late time dynamics. The quench can be implemented by a sudden change in the applied magnetic field and, depending on the final value, the ferromagnetic phase has easy-axis (Ising) or easy-plane (XY) symmetry, with different dynamical critical exponents. Our results for the easy-plane phase reveal a fractal domain structure and the crucial role of polar-core spin vortices in the coarsening dynamics.