From turbulence to soliton gas in a Bose-Einstein Condensate

Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) provide a powerful platform for exploring the interplay between turbulence and solitons in quantum fluids. In our experiments, we drive counterflow between two spin components of a dilute-gas BEC using a magnetic gradient. This flow quickly generates three-dimensional quantum turbulence. Over time, the superfluid turbulence dissipates, leaving behind a random ensemble of solitons. Using Fourier analysis, we capture and characterize this striking transition from 3D turbulence to a 1D soliton gas. Our results open a new experimental avenue for studying nonlinear superfluid hydrodynamics, connecting turbulence to soliton gases.