Experimental observation of turbulent coherent structures in a superfluid of light

We experimentally explore the rich variety of nonlinear coherent structures arising in a turbulent flow of superfluid light past an obstacle in an all-optical configuration. The different hydrodynamic regimes observed are organised in a unique phase diagram involving the velocity of the flow and the diameter of the obstacle. Then, we focus on the vortices nucleated in the wake of the obstacle by investigating their intensity profile and the dependence of the radius of their core on the healing length. Our results pave the way for further investigations on turbulence in photonic superfluids and provide versatile experimental tools for simulating quantum transport with nonlinear light. Copyright (C) 2021 EPLA

Automated summary

This experimental study investigates the nonlinear coherent structures of superfluid light passing an obstacle in an all-optical configuration, revealing different hydrodynamic regimes organized in a unique phase diagram. The focus is on vortices formed in the wake of the obstacle, with analysis of their intensity profile and core radius dependence on healing length. The results pave the way for further research on turbulence in photonic superfluids and offer versatile experimental tools for simulating quantum transport with nonlinear light.