Quantum vortex stability in draining fluid flows

Abstract

Quantum vortices with more than a single circulation quantum are usually unstable and decay into clusters of smaller vortices. One way to prevent the decay is to place the vortex at the centre of a convergent (draining) fluid flow, which tends to force vortices together. It is found that whilst the primary splitting instability is suppressed in this way (and completely quenched for strong enough flows) a secondary instability can emerge in circular trapping geometries. This behaviour is related to an instability of rotating black holes when superradiantly amplified waves are confined inside a reflective cavity. The end state of the secondary instability is dramatic, manifesting as a shock wave that propagates round the circular wall and nucleates many more vortices.