SciPost Submission Page
Dynamics of Polar-Core Spin Vortices in Inhomogeneous Spin-1 Bose-Einstein Condensates
by Zachary L. Stevens-Hough, Matthew J. Davis, Lewis A. Williamson
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Matthew Davis · Lewis Williamson |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.13800v3 (pdf) |
| Date submitted: | 2025-03-18 06:03 |
| Submitted by: | Williamson, Lewis |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
|
| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
In the easy-plane phase, a ferromagnetic spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate is magnetized in a plane transverse to the applied Zeeman field. This phase supports polar-core spin vortices (PCVs), which consist of phase windings of transverse magnetization. Here we show that spin-changing collisions cause a PCV to accelerate down density gradients in an inhomogeneous condensate. The dynamics is well-described by a simplified model adapted from scalar systems, which predicts the dependence of the dynamics on trap tightness and quadratic Zeeman energy. In a harmonic trap, a PCV accelerates radially to the condensate boundary, in stark contrast to the azimuthal motion of vortices in a scalar condensate. In a trap that has a local potential maximum at the centre, the PCV exhibits oscillations around the trap centre, which persist for a remarkably long time. The oscillations coincide with the emission and reabsorption of axial spin waves, which reflect off the condensate boundary.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Author comments upon resubmission
List of changes
We have improved Sec. 3 to more clearly justify the equations of motion Eq. (18) and (19).
We have improved the qualitative estimate Eq. (23) by more accurately accounting for the background field densities.
We have modified the discussion below Eq. (26) to be consistent with our changes to Sec. 3.
We have made a minor aesthetic change to Fig. 2(b),(e).