Reproducible nucleation and control of stable quantum vortex rings in Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a practical method to generate and manipulate stable quantum vortex rings in Bose-Einstein condensates using laser barriers, enabling precise control over vortex properties for advanced superfluid studies.

Contribution

It presents a novel, experimentally feasible protocol for on-demand nucleation and control of vortex rings in BECs, validated through numerical simulations.

Findings

Periodic vortex ring generation above critical velocity

Deterministic control over vortex ring size and position

Ability to reshape vortex rings and induce Kelvin waves

Abstract

We propose and numerically validate an experimentally feasible on-demand protocol for the nucleation and manipulation of stable quantum vortex rings in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates. The method relies on sweeping a laser-sheet barrier that locally constricts the superflow and triggers vortex-ring formation. By tuning the barrier height and width, and by scanning the barrier velocity, we identify the onset of periodic generation of vortex rings above the critical velocity and achieve direct, deterministic control over the ring nucleation position, radius, and hence propagation speed. After its formation, ad-hoc optical potentials are applied to reshape the vortex ring, creating clean Kelvin-wave excitations. Our results provide a foundation for systematic studies of three-dimensional vortices in atomic superfluids and open the door to tailored vortex dynamics and interactions, enabling controlled access to quantum turbulence.