# Vortex pairs in a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate

## TL;DR

This paper explores how Rashba spin-orbit coupling influences vortex behavior in a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate, revealing deformed mass currents and unique vortex pair dynamics not seen in scalar condensates.

## Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of vortex pairs in spin-orbit coupled BECs, highlighting altered vortex dynamics and stationary states due to spin-orbit effects.

## Key findings

- Deformed mass current around vortex cores in the plane-wave phase.
- Reduced vortex-antivortex pair velocity with spin-orbit coupling.
- Existence of stationary vortex pair states.

## Abstract

Static and dynamic properties of vortices in a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate with Rashba spin-orbit coupling are investigated. The mass current around a vortex core in the plane-wave phase is found to be deformed by the spin-orbit coupling, and this makes the dynamics of the vortex pairs quite different from those in a scalar Bose-Einstein condensate. The velocity of a vortex-antivortex pair is much smaller than that without spin-orbit coupling, and there exist stationary states. Two vortices with the same circulation move away from each other or unite to form a stationary state.