Spontaneous vortex formation during the creation of Bose-Einstein condensates

ORAL

Abstract

We have experimentally observed spontaneous generation and trapping of quantized vortices in single-component Bose- Einstein condensates. The BECs were created by a standard evaporative cooling procedure in a magnetic trap, without any additional methods of intentionally imparting angular momentum to the trapped atoms. After each BEC was formed, it was expanded such that the presence or absence of a vortex was determined. By observing numerous condensates, the statistical dependence of vortex formation on trapping and cooling parameters was examined. We will describe our experimental results and our interpretation of the vortex formation mechanism.

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Authors

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Seth Putterman

    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA, College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Colorado State University, University of Virginia, Auburn University, Northern Kentucky University, Utah Valley State College, Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, University of Amsterdam, New Mexico State university, University of Minesota, Pulse Field Facility, NHMFL, LANL, NM, Institute of Physics ASCR , Czech Republic, University of Minesota-Twin City, New Mexico State University, Director, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, Australian Synchotron Source, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, University of Arizona, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Wellesley College, Observatoire de Paris, France, Freie Universitat Berlin, Florida State Univ., Univ. Sci. Tech. China, Iowa State University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Mahabad Azad University, Carnegie Mellon University, Tempe Preparatory Academy, University of California, Los Angeles