Isaac Asimov once observed, “There is an art to science, and science in art.” A recent study has taken this idea further by unveiling a surprising link between Vincent van Gogh’s renowned painting, The Starry Night, and quantum physics.
The study centers on a phenomenon called Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI). This effect occurs when two fluids move past each other at different speeds, causing waves and vortices. “Our research started with a simple question: Can KHI happen in quantum fluids?” says Hiromitsu Takeuchi, an associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University.
Remarkably, this study not only observed KHI in a quantum fluid for the first time but also identified unique crescent-shaped vortices. These structures, known as eccentric fractional skyrmions (EFSs), resemble the glowing moon depicted in The Starry Night. “Typically, skyrmions are symmetrical, but EFSs take on a crescent shape, resulting in interesting spin distortions. The large moon in van Gogh’s work looks just like an EFS,” Takeuchi notes.
KHI typically appears where there is a sharp speed difference in regular fluids, like the ripples on a stormy sea. However, observing it in quantum fluids is challenging. Quantum fluids, such as Bose–Einstein condensates, behave differently from classical fluids, showing unique properties due to their quantum states.
The researchers overcame these challenges by cooling lithium atoms close to absolute zero, creating a multi-component Bose–Einstein condensate. This allowed them to get two overlapping components flowing at different speeds. They found that, at the boundary between these flows, patterns that echoed classical KHI began to emerge.
What followed was groundbreaking. Instead of smooth waves, they observed the formation of complex vortices—EFSs. Unlike traditional skyrmions, EFSs exhibited unusual structures and specific singularities. “These quantum phenomena arise from unique symmetry-breaking rules and carry half the elementary charge, setting them apart from typical skyrmions,” the researchers added.
The implications extend beyond theoretical physics. Skyrmions have potential applications in spintronics, a pivotal area aimed at revolutionizing data storage and computing by managing particle spins instead of electric currents. Discovering a new type of skyrmion could unlock novel avenues for this technology.
Moreover, the existence of EFSs raises interesting questions. They defy existing topological classifications, suggesting our understanding of quantum structures remains incomplete. The research not only bridges classical and quantum physics but also sheds light on complex dynamics in non-trivial quantum systems.
As the researchers plan further experiments, they hope to validate theories proposed over a century ago regarding KHI. They are also curious about the potential for similar vortices to appear in other quantum settings.
In essence, a journey that began with a beloved painting may lead to transformative insights in physics, intertwining art and science in unexpected ways. The full study is available in Nature Physics here.
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Physics, Quantum, Vincent van Gogh
