Exactly solvable model for a solitonic vortex in a compressible superfluid

TL;DR

This paper presents an exact solution for vortex dynamics in a compressible superfluid within a slab geometry, enabling precise calculations of vortex mass and forces, advancing understanding in superfluid physics.

Contribution

It introduces an exactly solvable hydrodynamic model for vortex motion in a compressible superfluid, including calculations of vortex mass beyond previous approximations.

Findings

Exact solution for vortex dynamics in a slab geometry

Calculation of inertial and physical vortex masses beyond logarithmic accuracy

Framework applicable to quantum-gas experiments for measuring vortex parameters

Abstract

Vortex motion is a complex problem due to the interplay between the short-range physics at the vortex core level and the long-range hydrodynamical effects. Here we show that the hydrodynamic equations of vortex motion in a compressible superfluid can be solved exactly in a model "slab" geometry. Starting from an exact solution for an incompressible fluid, the hydrodynamic equations are solved with a series expansion in a small tunable parameter provided by the ratio of the healing length, characterizing the vortex cores, to the slab width. The key dynamical properties of the vortex, the inertial and physical masses, are well defined and renormalizable. They are calculated at leading order beyond the logarithmic accuracy that has limited previous approaches. Our results provide a solid framework for further detailed study of the vortex mass and vortex forces in strongly-correlated and exotic superfluids. The proposed geometry can be realised in quantum-gas experiments where high-precision measurements of vortex mass parameters are feasible.