Vortex configuration-dependent equilibrium and non-equilibrium states in two-dimensional quantum turbulence

In this work, we analyse the evolution of four vortex configurations, namely, dipole, plasma, cluster and lattice, using the two-dimensional mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation, focusing on their dynamical decay and approach to the equilibrium. Our analysis reveals that the cluster vortex configuration reaches equilibrium more rapidly than the others, while the dipole, plasma and lattice configurations exhibit persistent non-equilibrium behaviour, tending towards non-thermal fixed points. Specifically, the cluster configuration follows Kolmogorov-like scaling (εi(k)∼k-5/3) in the incompressible spectrum, while the other configurations follow Vinen-like scaling (εi(k)∼k-1). In the compressible spectrum, the cluster case exhibits a k scaling, indicating full mode equilibration, while for the other configurations, the modes thermalize only above a critical wave number. Additionally, the transfer function for the cluster configuration displays a Gaussian distribution, typical of equilibrium states, while the other configurations exhibit skewed Gaussian or exponential distributions, indicative of their non-equilibrium nature. Finally, the particle number spectra show that the cluster case follows dynamical scaling closer to equilibrium, while the dipole, plasma and lattice configurations evolve towards non-thermal fixed points. Our findings provide new insights into the dynamics of vortex configurations and their approach to equilibrium or non-equilibrium states, offering guidance for future studies on quantum turbulence and its control This article is part of the theme issue 'Frontiers of turbulence and statistical physics'.