Abstract
We have studied the dynamics of large vortex lattices in a dilute-gas Bose-Einstein condensate. While undisturbed lattices have a regular hexagonal structure, large-amplitude quadrupolar shape oscillations of the condensate are shown to induce a wealth of nonequilibrium lattice dynamics. When exciting an mode, we observe shifting of lattice planes, changes of lattice structure, and sheetlike structures in which individual vortices appear to have merged. Excitation of an mode dissolves the regular lattice, leading to randomly arranged but still strictly parallel vortex lines.
- Received 16 April 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.100403
©2002 American Physical Society