PT-symmetric gain and loss in a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate

TL;DR

This paper explores PT-symmetric quantum mechanics applied to rotating Bose-Einstein condensates, revealing stable ground states with vortex-supported currents and particle exchange phenomena.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of stable PT-symmetric ground states in strongly interacting rotating BECs with vortices, including transport phenomena and vortex dynamics.

Findings

Stable PT-symmetric ground states exist in rotating BECs with vortices.

Vortices support currents parallel and perpendicular to their cores.

Particle exchange with the environment causes vortex movement and net currents.

Abstract

PT-symmetric quantum mechanics allows finding stationary states in mean-field systems with balanced gain and loss of particles. In this work we apply this method to rotating Bose-Einstein condensates with contact interaction which are known to support ground states with vortices. Due to the particle exchange with the environment transport phenomena through ultracold gases with vortices can be studied. We find that even strongly interacting rotating systems support stable PT-symmetric ground states, sustaining a current parallel and perpendicular to the vortex cores. The vortices move through the non-uniform particle density and leave or enter the condensate through its borders creating the required net current.