Unitary Quantum Lattice Gas Algorithms for Quantum to Classical Turbulence

Abstract

Using a set of interleaved unitary collision-stream operators, a three-dimensional (3D) quantum lattice gas algorithm is devised which, on taking moments, recovers the Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation. If a zero-temperature Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is trapped in an a magnetic well, the evolution of the ground-state wave function satisfies the scalar GP equation, while if the BEC is trapped in an optical trap the ground-state wave function satisfies spin or GP equations. Quantum turbulence is studied in a scalar GP system on 5,7603 grid yielding not only the classical Kolmogorov k-5/3 cascade but also the quantum vortex k-3 spectrum. For a certain class of initial conditions, one finds an intermittent loss of tangled quantum vortices as the vortex cores attain minimal size, and thus prevent the Kelvin wave cascade (due to helical wave-wave coupling on the vortex). A coupled set of GP equations are solved for spin or BEC. Skrymions, which describe topologically-linked quantum vortices, are examined. One finds, for certain initial conditions that the incompressible kinetic energy spectrum for the condensate component of a vortex ring core rapidly departs from the k-3 linear quantum vortex spectrum.