Abstract
We experimentally and numerically study the collapse dynamics of a quantum vortex in a two-dimensional atomic superfluid following a fast interaction ramp from repulsion to attraction. We find the conditions and timescales for a superfluid vortex to radially converge into a quasi-stationary density profile, demonstrating the spontaneous formation of a vortex soliton like structure in an atomic Bose gas. We record an emergent self-similar dynamic caused by an azimuthal modulational instability, which amplifies initial density perturbations and leads to the eventual splitting of a solitonic ring profile or direct fragmentation of a superfluid into disordered, but roughly circular arrays of Townes solitonlike wave packets. These dynamics are qualitatively reproduced by simulations based on the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. However, a discrepancy in the magnitude of amplified density fluctuations predicted by our mean-field analysis suggests the presence of effects beyond the mean-field approximation. Our study sets the stage for exploring out-of-equilibrium dynamics of vortex quantum matter quenched to attractive interactions and their universal characteristics.
Recommended Citation
S. Banerjee et al., "Collapse of a Quantum Vortex in an Attractive Two-Dimensional Bose Gas," Physical Review Letters, vol. 135, no. 7, p. 073401, American Physical Society, Aug 2025.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1103/c6wx-zc9x
Department(s)
Physics
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1079-7114
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 American Physical Society, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
15 Aug 2025
PubMed ID
40929188
