Vortex arrays in a rotating superfluid Fermi gas

TL;DR

This paper investigates vortex array formation and melting in a rotating superfluid Fermi gas confined in quasi-two-dimensional traps, revealing how rotation and lattice depth influence superfluid properties and vortex arrangements.

Contribution

It provides a microscopic analysis of vortex behavior in a rotating superfluid Fermi gas using self-consistent Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations, highlighting effects of lattice depth and rotation.

Findings

Lattice depth increases critical temperature and rotation frequency for superfluidity.

Vortex arrays become irregular with higher rotation, indicating quantum melting.

Superfluid properties are significantly affected by confinement and rotation.

Abstract

The behavior of a dilute two-component superfluid Fermi gas subjected to rotation is investigated within the context of a weak-coupling BCS theory. The microscopic properties at finite temperature are obtained by iterating the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations to self-consistency. In the model, alkali atoms are strongly confined in quasi-two-dimensional traps produced by a deep one-dimensional optical lattice. The lattice depth significantly enhances the critical transition temperature and the critical rotation frequency at which the superfluidity ceases. As the rotation frequency increases, the triangular vortex arrays become increasingly irregular, indicating a quantum melting transition.