Vortex quantum creation and winding number scaling in a quenched spinor Bose gas

TL;DR

This paper investigates the non-equilibrium dynamics and vortex formation in a quenched spinor Bose-Einstein condensate, revealing how quantum fluctuations lead to specific domain structures and vortex scaling laws.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for understanding vortex creation and domain formation during a quantum phase transition in spinor BECs, based on quantum fluctuation analysis.

Findings

Derived the spin domain correlation structure post-quench

Established a sample-size scaling law for vortex creation

Linked quantum fluctuations to topological defect formation

Abstract

Motivated by a recent experiment, we study non-equilibrium quantum phenomena taking place in the quench of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate through the zero-temperature phase transition separating the polar paramagnetic and planar ferromagnetic phases. We derive the typical spin domain structure (correlations of the effective magnetization) created by the quench arising due to spin-mode quantum fluctuations, and establish a sample-size scaling law for the creation of spin vortices, which are topological defects in the transverse magnetization.