Vortex dynamics in rotating dipolar supersolids across Josephson and self-trapping regimes
Phys. Rev. A 114, 013305 – Published 6 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/djd1-y93x
Abstract
We investigate vortex nucleation and transport in a rotating dipolar supersolid arranged in a triangular droplet lattice, exploiting its description as an array of weakly linked condensates. By considering both Josephson and macroscopic self-trapping dynamics, we show that local phase differences between droplets provide a compact and highly predictive framework to explore a wide range of vortex behaviors. In particular, Josephson oscillations can be devised to induce vortex nucleation and motion near the vertices of the low-density hexagonal lattice (between droplets), while self-trapping dynamics induces running phases that enable directed vortex transport, which may be accompanied by vortex-antivortex pair creation and annihilation over finite timescales. Comparison with simulations based on the extended Gross-Pitaevskii equation demonstrates that a three-droplet description is essential to capture vortex motion near hexagon vertices. Together, Josephson and self-trapping dynamics provide a tunable protocol to trigger and track vortex nucleation, transport, and vortex-antivortex pair annihilation, revealing the microscopic topological mechanisms underlying phase slips in rotating dipolar supersolids.
