Elements of Vortex-Dipole Dynamics in a Nonuniform Bose–Einstein Condensate

Abstract

The elements of the vortex-dipole (VD) dynamics are numerically examined in a nonuniform Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) using the time-dependent Gross–Pitaevskii equation that is solved by the split-step Crank–Nicolson method in real time. The BEC is trapped in a harmonic potential, surrounded by a hard-wall box potential, and stirred by an attractive focusing laser. In this regard, we particularly refer to a recent examination by Aioi et al. (Phys. Rev. X, 1: 021003, 2011) who presented controlled VD generation using a red laser in an infinite homogeneous BEC for comparison. It is found that the dynamics in the present nonuniform BEC is quite different from the one reported earlier by Aioi et al. The elements considered are the phase maps that demonstrate the presence of phase rings, the effects of the coupling constant on the vortex lifetime, the density at the vortex core, and the heating effects of the stirrer. Upon a suitable choice of coupling for our system, a VD generated by the moving fragment is transferred to and trapped by the central BEC cloud. The latter serves as a dissipationless vortex respository, where the lifetime of the VD is extended on demand. An analytical model is presented that qualitatively reproduces the wavefunction with its principle features and provides details inaccessible by the present numerical method such as the coupling between stirrer and BEC.