Superfluid Dynamics of Quantum Ferrofluids
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Mathematics and Statistics
Abstract
In state-of-the-art laboratories worldwide, gases of atoms are being cooled down to temperatures less than a millionth of a degree above absolute zero. At this extreme coldness, quantum mechanics takes over; the atoms lose their individual identities and become smeared out into a giant wave of matter. This quantum gas hosts a range of bizarre behaviours, from its capacity to undergo wave-like interference to its embodiment of a superfluid, a fluid with no resistance to motion.
The quantum gas is far from just a scientific curiosity. It represents a clean and pure exemplar of a many-particle quantum system, giving rich insight into the quantum world. Atomic physics techniques empower experimentalists to precisely tune its physical properties and manipulate it in time and space. Due to these facets, quantum gases are being exploited as "emulators" to recreate and understand complicated physical phenomena, from superconductors and turbulence to black holes and the Big Bang. The quantum gas also holds exciting technological prospects. Their exceptional sensitivity to being disturbed is driving their development as ultra-precise sensors, e.g. of gravity, for which they are touted to lead to major advancement in oil and mineral exploration. Meanwhile, their unprecedented quantum control makes these gases candidates for performing quantum gate operations, the basis of the much-lauded quantum computer.
Recent experiments in quantum gases have created a "quantum ferrofluid". Being both a superfluid and a ferrofluid, this novel state lies at the interface of two of our most bizarre fluids. Ferrofluids are liquids dispersed with tiny magnetic iron particles. Just like bar magnets, the particles interact over long-range, prefer to lie with north and south poles being adjacent, and become aligned in an imposed magnetic field. This leads to peculiar patterns and instabilities in the fluid, but, more importantly, enables the flow and physical properties to be controlled via magnetic fields, as exploited in ferrofluid technologies in medicine, information display and sealants.
The quantum sibling of the ferrofluid, the quantum ferrofluid, has been formed from an ultracold quantum gas of magnetic atoms. This gas is being hotly researched to probe its novel properties and potential exploitation. Its magnetic nature extends the above-mentioned capabilities of the quantum gas into new territories, e.g., providing a testbed of quantum magnetism, emulation of systems with long-range interactions, and a sensitivity to magnetic fields which can be exploited in a new generation of magnetic sensors, with potential applications from geological exploration to military detection. Meanwhile, the long-range magnetic interaction between atoms is particularly attractive for quantum computation since it allows the computational operations to be performed at a distance.
The fundamental nature of superfluidity in the quantum ferrofluid remains uncharted, and uncovering it is the core aim of this project. With superfluidity underpinning the transport properties of the system, we will reveal how the quantum ferrofluid moves and flows, swirls and gyrates, and responds to agitation. This is of fundamental interest to our understanding of superfluidity in general, but, more specifically, is of great practical benefit for future manipulation and exploitation of the quantum ferrofluid. The distinctive behaviour of conventional ferrofluids and their virtuous control via magnetic fields is suggestive of a rich plethora of novel superfluid behaviour and a new dimension of control over the superfluid state. The quantum ferrofluid may in turn provide insight into the conventional ferrofluid; being superfluid, with an absence of viscosity, the quantum ferrofluid embodies a simplified version of the ferrofluid from which outstanding problems in ferrofluids can be tackled afresh.
The quantum gas is far from just a scientific curiosity. It represents a clean and pure exemplar of a many-particle quantum system, giving rich insight into the quantum world. Atomic physics techniques empower experimentalists to precisely tune its physical properties and manipulate it in time and space. Due to these facets, quantum gases are being exploited as "emulators" to recreate and understand complicated physical phenomena, from superconductors and turbulence to black holes and the Big Bang. The quantum gas also holds exciting technological prospects. Their exceptional sensitivity to being disturbed is driving their development as ultra-precise sensors, e.g. of gravity, for which they are touted to lead to major advancement in oil and mineral exploration. Meanwhile, their unprecedented quantum control makes these gases candidates for performing quantum gate operations, the basis of the much-lauded quantum computer.
Recent experiments in quantum gases have created a "quantum ferrofluid". Being both a superfluid and a ferrofluid, this novel state lies at the interface of two of our most bizarre fluids. Ferrofluids are liquids dispersed with tiny magnetic iron particles. Just like bar magnets, the particles interact over long-range, prefer to lie with north and south poles being adjacent, and become aligned in an imposed magnetic field. This leads to peculiar patterns and instabilities in the fluid, but, more importantly, enables the flow and physical properties to be controlled via magnetic fields, as exploited in ferrofluid technologies in medicine, information display and sealants.
The quantum sibling of the ferrofluid, the quantum ferrofluid, has been formed from an ultracold quantum gas of magnetic atoms. This gas is being hotly researched to probe its novel properties and potential exploitation. Its magnetic nature extends the above-mentioned capabilities of the quantum gas into new territories, e.g., providing a testbed of quantum magnetism, emulation of systems with long-range interactions, and a sensitivity to magnetic fields which can be exploited in a new generation of magnetic sensors, with potential applications from geological exploration to military detection. Meanwhile, the long-range magnetic interaction between atoms is particularly attractive for quantum computation since it allows the computational operations to be performed at a distance.
The fundamental nature of superfluidity in the quantum ferrofluid remains uncharted, and uncovering it is the core aim of this project. With superfluidity underpinning the transport properties of the system, we will reveal how the quantum ferrofluid moves and flows, swirls and gyrates, and responds to agitation. This is of fundamental interest to our understanding of superfluidity in general, but, more specifically, is of great practical benefit for future manipulation and exploitation of the quantum ferrofluid. The distinctive behaviour of conventional ferrofluids and their virtuous control via magnetic fields is suggestive of a rich plethora of novel superfluid behaviour and a new dimension of control over the superfluid state. The quantum ferrofluid may in turn provide insight into the conventional ferrofluid; being superfluid, with an absence of viscosity, the quantum ferrofluid embodies a simplified version of the ferrofluid from which outstanding problems in ferrofluids can be tackled afresh.
Planned Impact
Ultracold quantum gases are exalted for their capacity for precise quantum control and measurement over a macroscopic number of particles. In dipolar quantum gases, this capacity is coupled with the properties of magnetism and long-range interactions, providing a rich platform for the development of quantum technologies. The dipole-dipole interactions offer the possibility of performing quantum gate operations, the basis of quantum information processing, at long-range. Quantum gases in general are being strongly pursued for applications in precision measurement and sensing; prototype experiments have, for example, led to technological advances in the measurement of surface forces and magnetic fields. The magnetic sensitivity of dipolar gases makes them candidates as ultra-precise magnetic sensors, with potential economic impact across a diverse remit including oil and mineral exploration, military detection and biomedical imaging.
An elementary requirement for harnessing and exploiting dipolar quantum gases is an understanding of their fundamental dynamical and transport properties. The dipolar interactions, being anisotropic and long-range, are very different to those which dominate conventional atomic quantum gases, and introduce a host of new phenomena and instabilities. The proposed research seeks to develop a deep understanding of these transport properties. In doing so, it will impact positively upon the current experimental drive to study, harness and ultimately exploit dipolar gases towards these applications. Achievement of these ultimate applications would have significant economic and societal benefits. Key to facilitating the impact of our theoretical findings on this experimental drive is the envisaged establishment of a collaboration with the world's leading experimental dipolar gas group (Stuttgart).
The form of fluidity in these gases - the quantum ferrofluid - lies at the interface of two of mankind's most intriguing and distinctive fluids: the superfluid and the ferrofluid. Superfluids, which are free from viscosity and whose circulation is restricted to be quantized, have proven to embody a simplified and idealized platform for studying classical fluidity, with particular benefit for elucidating complicated dynamics such as turbulence. In a similar vein, we will champion quantum ferrofluids as a prototype of classical ferrofluids, and seek to stimulate the transfer of knowledge and ideas at the interface between these previously disparate fields. Collaboration with a leading UK group in the modelling of classical ferrofluids (Edinburgh) will promote this venture.
Beyond quantum gases and ferrofluids, the proposed research will generate academic impact that spans condensed matter and applied mathematics, due to its direct relevance to the other superfluid systems of liquid Helium and semiconductor cavities, and vortex modelling in applied mathematics. Our development of an innovative vortex-based methodology for modelling the dynamics of the quantum ferrofluid will provide a new and advanced addition to the theoretical toolbox of superfluids and quantum gases. Indeed, to promote the wider use and benefit of this approach the computational codes will be made freely available.
Further economic impact will be made through the training of the post-doctoral researcher and undergraduate student. These individuals will gain expertise across physics, mathematics and computation, develop their communication skills, and network with leading researchers. Specifically, the research associate will also gain training in research management and supervision, while the undergraduate will gain an invaluable taste of high-level research. Finally, in taking place within the newly-formed Joint Quantum Centre Durham-Newcastle, the proposed research will firmly establish the centre's international reputation for state-of-the-art theoretical and experimental activities across quantum gases.
An elementary requirement for harnessing and exploiting dipolar quantum gases is an understanding of their fundamental dynamical and transport properties. The dipolar interactions, being anisotropic and long-range, are very different to those which dominate conventional atomic quantum gases, and introduce a host of new phenomena and instabilities. The proposed research seeks to develop a deep understanding of these transport properties. In doing so, it will impact positively upon the current experimental drive to study, harness and ultimately exploit dipolar gases towards these applications. Achievement of these ultimate applications would have significant economic and societal benefits. Key to facilitating the impact of our theoretical findings on this experimental drive is the envisaged establishment of a collaboration with the world's leading experimental dipolar gas group (Stuttgart).
The form of fluidity in these gases - the quantum ferrofluid - lies at the interface of two of mankind's most intriguing and distinctive fluids: the superfluid and the ferrofluid. Superfluids, which are free from viscosity and whose circulation is restricted to be quantized, have proven to embody a simplified and idealized platform for studying classical fluidity, with particular benefit for elucidating complicated dynamics such as turbulence. In a similar vein, we will champion quantum ferrofluids as a prototype of classical ferrofluids, and seek to stimulate the transfer of knowledge and ideas at the interface between these previously disparate fields. Collaboration with a leading UK group in the modelling of classical ferrofluids (Edinburgh) will promote this venture.
Beyond quantum gases and ferrofluids, the proposed research will generate academic impact that spans condensed matter and applied mathematics, due to its direct relevance to the other superfluid systems of liquid Helium and semiconductor cavities, and vortex modelling in applied mathematics. Our development of an innovative vortex-based methodology for modelling the dynamics of the quantum ferrofluid will provide a new and advanced addition to the theoretical toolbox of superfluids and quantum gases. Indeed, to promote the wider use and benefit of this approach the computational codes will be made freely available.
Further economic impact will be made through the training of the post-doctoral researcher and undergraduate student. These individuals will gain expertise across physics, mathematics and computation, develop their communication skills, and network with leading researchers. Specifically, the research associate will also gain training in research management and supervision, while the undergraduate will gain an invaluable taste of high-level research. Finally, in taking place within the newly-formed Joint Quantum Centre Durham-Newcastle, the proposed research will firmly establish the centre's international reputation for state-of-the-art theoretical and experimental activities across quantum gases.
Publications
Bland T
(2018)
Quantum Ferrofluid Turbulence.
in Physical review letters
Bland T
(2017)
Interaction-sensitive oscillations of dark solitons in trapped dipolar condensates
in Physical Review A
Bland T
(2018)
Probing quasi-integrability of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation in a harmonic-oscillator potential
in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Bland T
(2015)
Controllable nonlocal interactions between dark solitons in dipolar condensates
in Physical Review A
Bland T
(2017)
Quantum ferrofluid turbulence
Dingwall R
(2018)
Non-integrable dynamics of matter-wave solitons in a density-dependent gauge theory
in New Journal of Physics
Edmonds M
(2017)
Engineering bright matter-wave solitons of dipolar condensates
in New Journal of Physics
Edmonds M
(2016)
Exploring the stability and dynamics of dipolar matter-wave dark solitons
in Physical Review A
Edmonds M
(2020)
Quantum droplets of quasi-one-dimensional dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates
in Journal of Physics Communications
Edmonds M
(2016)
Engineering Bright Matter-Wave Solitons of Dipolar Condensates
Martin A
(2017)
Vortices and vortex lattices in quantum ferrofluids
in Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter
Mulkerin B
(2014)
Vortices in the two-dimensional dipolar Bose gas
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Prasad S
(2019)
Vortex lattice formation in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates via rotation of the polarization
in Physical Review A
Prasad SB
(2019)
Instability of Rotationally Tuned Dipolar Bose-Einstein Condensates.
in Physical review letters
Rickinson E
(2018)
Diffusion of Quantum Vortices
Rickinson E
(2018)
Diffusion of quantum vortices
in Physical Review A
Sciacca M
(2017)
Matter-wave dark solitons in boxlike traps
in Physical Review A
Stagg G
(2016)
Ultraquantum turbulence in a quenched homogeneous Bose gas
in Physical Review A
Description | We have theoretically studied the dynamics of superfluids and quantum ferrofluids, focussing on vortices and solitons in these systems. Our work on vortices in quantum ferrofluids has produced a landmark review article detailing their properties and outlining future directions. We have examined the formation of vortices from a thermal quench and the properties of the quantum turbulent state. We have predicted new forms of solitons supported witin quantum ferrofluids. This has many unusual properties which go beyond conventional solitons. We have established the theoretical properties of these waves and have proposed experiments to generate them. We have also developed new theoretical and numerical techniques to obtain and analyse these solutions. |
Exploitation Route | Our publications (particularly the review article) and talks have communicated our findings to the academic community, for future development. The novel solitons we have predicted have unusual long-range interactions and open up new realms of nonlinear physics, which we hope to study through a future grant application. |
Sectors | Other |
Description | The project has led to the training of highly-skilled individuals in computations and quantitative analysis. This includes the post-doctoral researcher directly funded by the grant but also two doctoral students and two undergraduate project students. Moreover, the outputs have been used in outreach activities to promote physics and STEM subjects more generally to secondary school students. |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Quantum vortex reconnections in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates |
Amount | £374,496 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R005192/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Turbulence in a Quantum Ferrofluid |
Amount | £160,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2021 |
End | 10/2024 |
Title | Efficient algorithm for solving the dipolar Gross-Pitaevskii equation |
Description | This algorithm apples a biconjugate gradient minimization techniques to numerically obtain stationary solutions to the dipolar Gross-Pitaevskii equation. It is described in the article with DOI 10.1103/PhysRevA.93.063617. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This algorithm has been used to numerically obtain moving dark soliton solutions in dipolar BECs. |
URL | https://journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevA.93.063617 |
Description | Melbourne |
Organisation | University of Melbourne |
Department | School of Physics |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We visited this institution, collaborated with the research group of Dr Andrew Martin, gave research seminars, and have since written and are drafting papers together. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners made a reciprocal visit to Newcastle, collaborated with our research group, gave research seminars, and have since written and are drafting papers with us. |
Impact | Our groups have now written several papers together arising from this collaboration, and continue to collaborate on further projects. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Palermo |
Organisation | University of Palermo |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A joint theoretical study of dark soliton dynamics in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates |
Collaborator Contribution | A joint theoretical study of dark soliton dynamics in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates |
Impact | The collaboration has so far produced the publication Phys. Rev. A 95, 013628 (2017) and a research visit by Prof. M. Sciacca to Newcastle University in 2016. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Warsaw |
Organisation | Polish Academy of Sciences |
Department | Center for Theoretical Physics |
Country | Poland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our PhD student visited the group and we have written a joint publication. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partners hosted the PhD student and have contributed to a joint publication. |
Impact | A paper "Anomalous oscillations of dark solitons in trapped dipolar condensates" T. Bland, K. Pawlowski, M. J. Edmonds, K. Rzazewski, N. G. Parker, has been submitted (arXiv:1610.02002). |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Enrichment event 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We gave a series of lectures on quantum mechanics and quantum gases to local Year 11 physics students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Enrichment event 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Gave a series of lectures on quantum mechanics and superfluids to local Year 11 physics students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Sixth Form Conference 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 80 sixth-former students attended a lecture on quantum gases. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Sixth Form Conference 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Around 80 sixth-formers attended a lecture on quantum gases. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |