Dissipative dynamics of a vortex state in a trapped Bose-condensed gas

Abstract

We discuss dissipative dynamics of a vortex state in a trapped Bose-condensed gas at finite temperature and draw a scenario of decay of this state in a static trap. The interaction of the vortex with the thermal cloud transfers energy from the vortex to the cloud and induces the motion of the vortex core to the border of the condensate. Once the vortex reaches the border, it immediately decays through the creation of excitations. We calculate the characteristic lifetime of a vortex state and address the question of how the dissipative dynamics of vortices can be studied experimentally.