Quantum Shock Waves and Domain Walls in the Real-Time Dynamics of a Superfluid Unitary Fermi Gas

Journal Article · Tue Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physical Review Letters, 108(15):Article No. 150401

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.108.150401· OSTI ID:1092016

Bulgac, Aurel; Luo, Yuan-Lung; Roche, Kenneth J.

We show that in the collision of two superfluid fermionic atomic clouds one observes the formation of quantum shock waves as discontinuities in the number density and collective flow velocity. Domain walls, which are topological excitations of the superfluid order parameter, are also generated and exhibit abrupt phase changes by $$\pi$$ and slower motion than the shock waves. The domain walls are distinct from the gray soliton train or number density ripples formed in the wake of the shock waves and observed in the collisions of superfluid bosonic atomic clouds. Domain walls with opposite phase jumps collide elastically.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1092016
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-83056; KJ0403000
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, 108(15):Article No. 150401, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters, 108(15):Article No. 150401
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English