Topological interfaces crossed by defects and textures of continuous and discrete point group symmetries in spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensates

Abstract

We systematically and analytically construct a set of spinor wave functions representing defects and textures that continuously penetrate interfaces between coexisting, topologically distinct magnetic phases in a spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensate. These include singular and nonsingular vortices carrying mass or spin circulation that connect across interfaces between biaxial- and uniaxial nematic, cyclic and ferromagnetic phases, as well as vortices terminating as monopoles on the interface (“boojums”). The biaxial-nematic and cyclic phases exhibit discrete polytope symmetries featuring non-Abelian vortices and we investigate a pair of noncommuting line defects within the context of a topological interface. By numerical simulations, we characterize the emergence of nontrivial defect core structures, including the formation of composite defects. Our results demonstrate the potential of spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensates as experimentally accessible platforms for exploring interface physics, offering a wealth of combinations of continuous and discrete symmetries. Published by the American Physical Society 2024