The Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a binary quantum fluid.

ABSTRACT: Instabilities, where small fluctuations seed the formation of large-scale structures, govern dynamics in a variety of fluid systems. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI), present from tabletop to astronomical scales, is an iconic example characterized by mushroom-shaped incursions appearing when immiscible fluids are forced together. Despite its ubiquity, RTI experiments are challenging; here, we report the observation of the RTI in an immiscible binary superfluid consisting of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate. We force these components together to initiate the instability, and observe the growth of mushroom-like structures. The interface can also be stabilized, allowing us to spectroscopically measure the "ripplon" interface modes. Last, we use matter-wave interferometry to trans

SUBMITTER: Geng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12383266 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature