A novel type of spiral wave with trapped ions

Abstract

Pattern formation in ultra-cold quantum systems has recently received a great deal of attention.In this work, we investigate a two-dimensional model system accounting for the dynamics of trapped ions. We find a novel spiral wave which is rigidly rotating but with a peculiar core region in which adjacent ions oscillate in anti-phase. The formation of this novel spiral wave is ascribed to the novel excitability reported by Lee and Cross. The breakup of the novel spiral wave is probed and, especially, one extraordinary scenario of the disappearance of spiral wave caused by spontaneous expansion of the anti-phased core is unveiled.