Existence and identification of optimal optical-lattice parameters for vortex removal

Ascertain whether an optimal set of optical-lattice parameters—specifically the fringe periodicity and potential depth—exists that maximizes vortex removal efficiency in a highly oblate Bose–Einstein condensate subjected to the vortex-comb protocol, and, if such an optimum exists, identify it within the broader parameter space that includes lattice periodicity.

Background

In the experiments, the lattice periodicity was fixed by the optical setup, limiting exploration of parameter space. Although the vortex comb successfully removed vortices across a range of lattice depths and ramp times, the experimental configuration could not establish whether an optimal combination of lattice depth and periodicity exists.

Motivated by this limitation, the authors later performed numerical scans over lattice amplitude and spacing and reported the apparent existence of an optimal regime in simulations. The explicit open question in the experimental section is whether an optimum exists within the larger parameter space that includes lattice periodicity, and to identify that optimum.