Vortex lattices in coupled one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates with a synthetic magnetic field

Abstract

We investigate the mean-field ground states of coupled one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates subject to a synthetic magnetic field. The resulting interacting coupled-wire model has one continuous and one discrete spatial direction, providing a controlled way to interpolate between the physics of few-leg ladders and extended vortex lattices. For two wires, we study the vortex-like, biased-density, and Meissner-like states, exploring how the finite longitudinal size of the system modifies the transitions between them. Increasing the number of wires, the ground state evolves towards an extended vortex lattice. We find numerically that periodic boundary conditions in the discrete direction can favour staggered arrays of like-signed vortices resembling an Abrikosov lattice, while open boundaries in small finite-size systems confine the vortices into rows near the centre of the synthetic direction. Our results explore how finite size effects and boundary conditions govern the emergence and spatial organisation of vortices in continuous-discrete quantum fluids, with relevance to future experiments in tunnel-coupled atomic wires or with synthetic dimensions.