Work

Implosive dynamics from topological quenches in Bose-Einstein condensates

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We show numerically that a repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate can be driven into implosive dynamics by a direct topological quench. We first realize giant vortices by quasiadiabatic phase imprinting, and then perform a sudden anti-imprint that cancels the accumulated winding in a single step, abruptly switching the condensate from a highly charged vortex state to the trivial sector. The resulting phase-density mismatch launches a rapid inward radial flow and produces a strong central density buildup, despite the repulsive interactions. After the first implosion, the dynamics evolves into circular nonlinear wave fronts that subsequently undergo breaking of azimuthal symmetry (axisymmetry) down to a polygonal one, whose shape is determined by the way the giant vortex is built. These results establish topological engineering as an effective tool for studying implosive dynamics and symmetry-breaking instabilities in quantum fluids.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/dw8h-cfnf

Authors: Marios Kokmotos, Dimitri M. Gangardt, Giovanni Barontini

Institution: University of Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,675

Funders: Leverhulme Trust, University of Birmingham