Topological defect dynamics of vortex lattices in Bose--Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper explores how phase-imprinting creates and controls defects in vortex lattices of Bose--Einstein condensates, revealing quasi-stable vacancies and analyzing their effects on lattice order.

Contribution

It demonstrates a method to generate and study controllable topological defects in vortex lattices within Bose--Einstein condensates using phase-imprinting techniques.

Findings

Localized vacancies are quasi-stable over long times

Defects influence lattice order as shown by correlation functions

Full many-particle effects among vortices can be studied within mean-field theory

Abstract

Vortex lattices in rapidly rotating Bose--Einstein condensates are systems of topological excitations that arrange themselves into periodic patterns. Here we show how phase-imprinting techniques can be used to create a controllable number of defects in these lattices and examine the resulting dynamics. Even though we describe our system using the mean-field Gross--Pitaevskii theory, the full range of many particle effects among the vortices can be studied. In particular we find the existence of localized vacancies that are quasi-stable over long periods of time, and characterize the effects on the background lattice through use of the orientational correlation function, and Delaunay triangulation.