Vortex-Peierls States in Optical Lattices

TL;DR

This paper predicts a novel vortex-Peierls state in cold atom superfluids in optical lattices, where vortices form clusters with partial delocalization, driven by an order-from-disorder mechanism.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of vortex-Peierls states in optical lattices and explains their formation through quantum tunneling and degeneracy lifting.

Findings

Vortices form clustered arrangements rather than simple lattices.

Partial vortex delocalization occurs within clusters.

The state arises from an order-from-disorder mechanism.

Abstract

We show that vortices, induced in cold atom superfluids in optical lattices, may order in a novel vortex-Peierls ground state. In such a state vortices do not form a simple lattice but arrange themselves in clusters, within which the vortices are partially delocalized, tunneling between classically degenerate configurations. We demonstrate that this exotic quantum many-body state is selected by an order-from-disorder mechanism for a special combination of the vortex filling and lattice geometry that has a macroscopic number of classically degenerate ground states.