Location
Havener Center, Meramec Gasconade Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Start Date
4-1-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
4-1-2026 2:00 PM
Presentation Date
April 1, 2026; 1:30pm-2:00pm
Description
Ultracold atomic gases offer highly tunable platforms for exploring complex quantum many-body phenomena. In addition, dipolar quantum gases of magnetic atoms featuring long-range anisotropic interactions are exquisite systems for realizing exotic phases-of-matter in an experimentally controlled way. A prototypical example is the supersolid state which simultaneously exhibits frictionless flow of superfuids and crystalline density modulation of solids. In this realm, we investigate the dynamical generation of vortex topological defects by imprinting a suitable phase jump in quasi-two-dimensional dipolar supersolids. This protocol enables the nucleation of a dark soliton which consecutively becomes unstable via the eponymous snake instability due to its exposure to transverse modes, yielding vortex formation within the superfluid background. Our results show that vortices exhibit epicyclic motion in superfluids, whereas in supersolid states they are short-lived and characterized by broader cores. Finally, we showcase that vortex generation is suppressed in regimes where the superfluid background is significantly reduced.
Biography
Jacob Harl is a physics undergraduate at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is a member of the Honors Academy and the Kummer Vanguard Scholars. He participated in the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) which was continued through OURE where he did numerical simulations of ultracold dipolar atomic systems investigating wave turbulence and the development of vortices. He is also involved in the marching band, as well as the Academic Competition Organization where he serves as the Public Relations manager.
Meeting Name
2026 - Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
Department(s)
Physics
Document Type
Presentation
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved
Vortex Generation in Dipolar Supersolids
Havener Center, Meramec Gasconade Room, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Ultracold atomic gases offer highly tunable platforms for exploring complex quantum many-body phenomena. In addition, dipolar quantum gases of magnetic atoms featuring long-range anisotropic interactions are exquisite systems for realizing exotic phases-of-matter in an experimentally controlled way. A prototypical example is the supersolid state which simultaneously exhibits frictionless flow of superfuids and crystalline density modulation of solids. In this realm, we investigate the dynamical generation of vortex topological defects by imprinting a suitable phase jump in quasi-two-dimensional dipolar supersolids. This protocol enables the nucleation of a dark soliton which consecutively becomes unstable via the eponymous snake instability due to its exposure to transverse modes, yielding vortex formation within the superfluid background. Our results show that vortices exhibit epicyclic motion in superfluids, whereas in supersolid states they are short-lived and characterized by broader cores. Finally, we showcase that vortex generation is suppressed in regimes where the superfluid background is significantly reduced.
Comments
Advisor: Simeon Mistakidis, smystakidis@mst.edu