Transition to quantum turbulence in finite-size superfluids

✍ Scribed by R.F. Shiozaki; G.D. Telles; V.I. Yukalov; V.S. Bagnato

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 119 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1612-2011
• DOI: 10.1002/lapl.201110005

✦ Synopsis

A novel concept of quantum turbulence in finite size superfluids, such as trapped bosonic atoms, is discussed. We have used an atomic 87 Rb Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) to study the emergence of this phenomenon. In our experiment, the transition to the quantum turbulent regime is characterized by a tangled vortex lines formation, controlled by the amplitude and time duration of the excitation produced by an external oscillating field. A simple model is suggested to account for the experimental observations. The transition from the nonturbulent to the turbulent regime is a rather gradual crossover. But it takes place in a sharp enough way, allowing for the definition of an effective critical line separating the regimes. Quantum turbulence emerging in a finite-size superfluid may be a new idea helpful for revealing important features associated to turbulence, a more general and broad phenomenon.

Amplitude, mG/cm