Expansion dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates in a synthetic magnetic field

Abstract

We investigate the expansion dynamics of spin-orbit-coupled Bose-Einstein condensates subjected to a synthetic magnetic field, after their release from an external harmonic trap. Our findings reveal that the condensate experiences a spin-dependent rotation and separation due to the rigid-like rotational velocity field, which leads to a spin density deflection. The deflection angle reaches a peak at a time that is inversely related to the frequency of the harmonic trap. When the detuning gradient is below a critical value for vortex nucleation, our analytical results derived from a spinor hydrodynamic theory align closely with numerical results using the coupled Gross-Pitaevskii equations. Beyond this critical value, we also numerically simulated the expansion dynamics of the condensates containing vortices with negative circulation. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of the rigid-like rotational velocity field on the dynamics of the condensate and may stimulate further experimental investigations into the rich superfluid dynamics induced by synthetic magnetic fields.