Vortex Nucleation in Rotating Superfluid

Quantized vortices in BEC — Abrikosov-like lattice formation

Physics

In a rotating Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) or superfluid ⁴He, rotation cannot be accommodated by rigid-body flow — instead quantized vortices nucleate. Each vortex carries circulation κ = h/m. Above the critical rotation Ω_c1, vortices enter and arrange in a triangular Abrikosov lattice. The vortex density n_v = 2mΩ/h (Feynman relation).

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Feynman relation: n_v = 2mΩ/h → n_v ∝ Ω

Color = phase θ of superfluid wavefunction ψ = √ρ·e^iθ. Phase singularities (2π winding) are vortex cores.