Quantum Supersolids: Solitons, Vortices, and Nonlinear Dynamics

About the Project

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Davide Proment

A supersolid is one of the most intriguing recently realised phases of quantum matter, simultaneously exhibiting the crystalline structure of solids and the frictionless flow of superfluids. In recent years, dipolar Bose–Einstein condensates (dBECs) have emerged as an ideal platform for creating and studying supersolid states in ultracold atomic systems. Breakthrough experiments have demonstrated the existence of supersolid phases and observed quantised vortices within them, opening exciting new questions about nonlinear excitations and coherent structures in quantum matter.

This MSc by Research project aims to uncover nonlinear solitary wave solutions in supersolids, described by an extended Gross–Pitaevskii equation that incorporates long-range dipole–dipole interactions together with quantum fluctuation effects via the Lee–Huang–Yang correction. Using a combination of theoretical analysis and advanced numerical simulations, you will investigate the existence, stability, and dynamics of nonlinear excitations such as solitons, vortices, and solitary waves in supersolid media.

The project will involve substantial computational work and scientific programming, with possible use of modern computational approaches such as scientific machine learning and data-driven analysis of nonlinear wave structures.