Structural phase transitions of vortex matter in an optical lattice

TL;DR

This paper explores how vortex arrangements in a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate are affected by an optical lattice, revealing various phase transitions and domain formations due to vortex interactions and lattice pinning effects.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of vortex lattice structures and phase transitions in BECs influenced by optical lattices, highlighting the sensitivity to vortex-to-site ratios.

Findings

Identification of multiple structural phases of vortex matter

Observation of phase transitions driven by vortex-lattice ratio

Detection of domain formation in vortex arrangements

Abstract

We consider the vortex structure of a rapidly rotating trapped atomic Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of a co-rotating periodic optical lattice potential. We observe a rich variety of structural phases which reflect the interplay of the vortex-vortex and vortex-lattice interactions. The lattice structure is very sensitive to the ratio of vortices to pinning sites and we observe structural phase transitions and domain formation as this ratio is varied.