Creation of vortices in a Bose-Einstein condensate by a Raman technique

TL;DR

This paper proposes a Raman-based method to generate vortices in a Bose-Einstein condensate by transferring it to a vortex trap state using Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams, with calculations for different interaction regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel Raman technique employing Laguerre-Gaussian beams to create vortices in Bose-Einstein condensates, detailing the parameters for complete transfer.

Findings

Method successfully transfers condensate to vortex state

Calculations provided for non-interacting and strongly interacting regimes

Potential for controlled vortex creation in BECs

Abstract

We propose a method for taking a Bose-Einstein condensate in the ground trap state simultaneously to a different atomic hyperfine state and to a vortex trap state. This can be accomplished through a Raman scheme in which one of the two copropagating laser beams has a higher-order Laguerre-Gaussian mode profile. Coefficients relating the beam waist, pulse area, and trap potentials for a complete transfer to the m = 1 vortex are calculated for a condensate in the non-interacting and strongly interacting regimes.