Vortex nucleation in rotating Bose-Einstein condensates with density-dependent gauge potential

Abstract: We study numerically the vortex dynamics and vortex-lattice formation in a rotating density-dependent Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), characterized by the presence of nonlinear rotation. By varying the strength of nonlinear rotation in density-dependent BECs, we calculate the critical frequency, $\Omega_{\text{cr}}$, for vortex nucleation both in adiabatic and sudden external trap rotations. The nonlinear rotation modifies the extent of deformation experienced by the BEC due to the trap and shifts the $\Omega_{\text{cr}}$ values for vortex nucleation. The critical frequencies and thereby, the transition to vortex-lattices in an adiabatic rotation ramp, depend on conventional $\textit{s}$-wave scattering lengths through the strength of nonlinear rotation, $\mathit{C}$, such that $\Omega_{\text{cr}}(\mathit{C}>0) < \Omega_{\text{cr}}(\mathit{C}=0) < \Omega_{\text{cr}}(\mathit{C}<0)$. In an analogous manner, the critical ellipticity ($\epsilon_{\text{cr}}$) for vortex nucleation during an adiabatic introduction of trap ellipticity ($\epsilon$) depends on the nature of nonlinear rotation besides trap rotation frequency. The nonlinear rotation additionally affects the vortex-vortex interactions and the motion of the vortices through the condensate by altering the strength of Magnus force on them. The combined result of these nonlinear effects is the formation of the non-Abrikosov vortex-lattices and ring-vortex arrangements in the density-dependent BECs.