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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Reproducible nucleation and control of stable quantum vortex rings in Bose-Einstein condensates

Giorgia Iori1, Klejdja Xhani2, Woo Jin Kwon1,3, Davide Emilio Galli1,*, and Luca Galantucci4,5,†

  • *Contact author: davide.galli@unimi.it
  • †Contact author: luca.galantucci@cnr.it
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L022043 – Published 5 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/qvg7-mr18

Abstract

We propose and numerically validate an experimentally feasible on-demand protocol for the nucleation and manipulation of stable quantum vortex rings in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates. The method relies on sweeping a laser-sheet barrier that locally constricts the superflow and triggers vortex-ring formation. By tuning the barrier height and width, and by scanning the barrier velocity, we identify the onset of periodic generation of vortex rings above the critical velocity and achieve direct, deterministic control over the ring nucleation position, radius, and hence propagation speed. After its formation, ad hoc optical potentials are applied to reshape the vortex ring, creating clean Kelvin-wave excitations. Our results provide a foundation for systematic studies of three-dimensional vortices in atomic superfluids and open the door to tailored vortex dynamics and interactions, enabling controlled access to quantum turbulence.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, L022043– Published 5 June, 2026
  • Received 13 March 2026
  • Accepted 11 May 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

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