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Vortex Formation by Merging of Multiple Trapped Bose-Einstein Condensates

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ;  [1]
  1. College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (United States)
We report observations of vortex formation by merging and interfering multiple {sup 87}Rb Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in a confining potential. In this experiment, a single harmonic potential well is partitioned into three sections by a barrier, enabling the simultaneous formation of three independent, uncorrelated BECs. The BECs may either automatically merge together during their growth, or for high-energy barriers, the BECs can be merged together by barrier removal after their formation. Either process may instigate vortex formation in the resulting BEC, depending on the initially indeterminate relative phases of the condensates and the merging rate.
OSTI ID:
20957735
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 98; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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