Instability of a quantum vortex by twist perturbation

Abstract

In this paper, we determine the instability effects of a phase twist superposed on a quantum vortex defect governed by the Gross–Pitaevskii equation. For this, we consider the modified form of the equation in two cases: when a uniform phase twist is present everywhere in the condensate, and when the defect is subject to a localized phase twist confined to the defect healing region. In the first case, we show that a secondary, new defect is produced as manifestation of an Aharonov–Bohm type effect. In the second case, we prove that due to energy minimization, the defect changes its configurational energy by converting localized twist to writhe. This mechanism, typical of classical elastic systems, is shown to occur also in quantum defects, and it may find useful applications in science and technology.