Three-dimensional numerical simulation of long-lived quantum vortex knots and links in a trapped Bose condensate

The dynamics of the simplest vortex knots, “unknots,” and torus links in an atomic Bose condensate at zero temperature in an anisotropic harmonic trap has been simulated numerically within the three-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation. It has been found that such quasistationary rotating vortex structures exist for a very long time in wide ranges of the parameters of the system. This new result is qualitatively consistent with a previous prediction based on a simplified one-dimensional model approximately describing the motion of knotted vortex filaments.