Dynamics of Quantum Vorticity in a Random Potential

2008/07/31 by Bennett Link · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Classical mechanics #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Condensed matter physics #Dissipation #Dynamics (music) #Mechanics #Neutron star #Physics #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Quantum mechanics #Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics #Superfluid helium-4 #Superfluidity #Vortex #Vorticity #astro-ph #cond-mat.quant-gas

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.102.131101

Physical Review Letters, final version

arxiv created 2009/03/27 · openalex publication_date 2009/04/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

I study the dynamics of a superfluid vortex in a random potential, as in the inner crust of a neutron star. Below a critical flow velocity of the ambient superfluid, a vortex is effectively immobilized by lattice forces even in the limit of zero dissipation. Low-velocity, translatory motion is not dynamically possible, a result with important implications for understanding neutron star precession and the dynamical properties of superfluid nuclear matter.

Citations

• Incompatibility of long-period neutron star precession with creeping neutron vortices
• Hydromagnetic waves in a superfluid neutron star with strong vortex pinning

Cited by

• Gravitational wave emission from rotating superfluid neutron stars
• Superfluid vortex-mediated mutual friction in non-homogeneous neutron star interiors
• Vortex Pinning and Dynamics in the Neutron Star Crust