Crystallized half-skyrmions and inverted half-skyrmions in the condensation of spin-1 Bose gases with spin-orbit coupling

Abstract

The nonequilibrium dynamics of a rapidly quenched spin-1 Bose gas with spin-orbit coupling is studied. By solving the stochastic projected Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we show that crystallization of half-skyrmions (merons), can occur in a spinor condensate of ${}^{87}$Rb. The stability of such a crystal structure is analyzed. Likewise, inverted half-skyrmions can be created in a spin-polarized spinor condensate of ${}^{23}$Na. Our studies provide a chance to explore the fundamental properties of skyrmionlike matter.