Matter-wave gap vortices in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper predicts and analyzes the existence of topological matter-wave gap vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates confined by optical lattices, highlighting their structure, stability, and formation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of nonlinear localized topological states called matter-wave gap vortices in optical lattices, a novel phenomenon in BEC physics.

Findings

Existence of stable matter-wave gap vortices in 2D optical lattices.

These vortices have phase dislocations and exist in matter-wave bandgap spectra.

Analysis of their structure, stability, and formation dynamics.

Abstract

We predict the existence of spatially localized nontrivial topological states of the Bose-Einstein condensate with repulsive atomic interactions confined by an optical lattice. These nonlinear localized states, matter-wave gap vortices, possess a phase dislocation and exist in the gaps of the matter-wave bandgap spectrum due to the Bragg scattering. We discuss the structure, stability, and formation dynamics of the gap vortices in the case of two-dimensional optical lattices.