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  • Editors' Suggestion
  • Letter
  • Open Access

Topological pathways to two-dimensional quantum turbulence

R. Panico1,2, G. Ciliberto3, G. I. Martone1,4, T. Congy5, D. Ballarini1, A. S. Lanotte1,4, and N. Pavloff3,6

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L022063 – Published 11 June, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.L022063

Abstract

We present a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the formation and decay kinetics of vortices in two-dimensional, compressible quantum turbulence. We follow the temporal evolution of a quantum fluid of exciton polaritons, hybrid light-matter quasiparticles, and measure both phase and modulus of the order parameter in the turbulent regime. Fundamental topological conservation laws require that the formation and annihilation of vortices also involve critical points of the velocity field, namely nodes and saddles. Identifying the simplest mechanisms underlying these processes enables us to develop an effective kinetic model that closely aligns with the experimental observations, and shows that different processes are responsible for vortex number growth and decay. These findings underscore the crucial role played by topological constraints in shaping nonlinear, turbulent evolution of two-dimensional quantum fluids.

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16 June, 2025

Correction: The Editors' Suggestion label was missing at publication and has been added.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. Research 7, L022063– Published 11 June, 2025
  • Received 11 November 2024
  • Revised 11 February 2025
  • Accepted 8 April 2025
  • Corrected 16 June 2025
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