Controlled acoustic-driven vortex transport in coupled superfluid rings

TL;DR

This paper studies vortex dynamics in coupled superfluid rings, showing how acoustic excitations influence vortex transfer and oscillations, with implications for atomtronic quantum sensors.

Contribution

It provides an analytical and numerical framework for controlling vortex transfer via acoustic excitations and resonant modulation in superfluid ring systems.

Findings

Predicted oscillation frequency and damping rate using hydrodynamic and Bogoliubov-de Gennes models.

Identified critical dissipation threshold for persistent versus overdamped vortex oscillations.

Demonstrated controlled vortex transfer through resonant modulation of inter-ring barriers.

Abstract

Atomtronic quantum sensors based on trapped superfluids offer a promising platform for high-precision inertial measurements where the dynamics of quantized vortices can serve as sensitive probes of external forces. We analytically investigate persistent current oscillations between two density-coupled Bose-Einstein condensate rings and show that the vortex dynamics is governed by low-energy acoustic excitations circulating through the condensate bulk. The oscillation frequency and damping rate are quantitatively predicted by a simplified hydrodynamic model, in agreement with Bogoliubov-de Gennes analysis and Gross-Pitaevskii simulations. We identify the critical dissipation separating persistent oscillations from overdamped vortex localization. Furthermore, we demonstrate that periodic modulation of the inter-ring barrier at resonant frequencies enables controlled vortex transfer even when the condensates are well separated in density. These results clarify the role of collective hydrodynamic modes in circulation transfer and establish a framework for employing vortex dynamics in atomtronic quantum technologies.