title: Vortex nucleation in Bose-Einstein condensates in an oblate, purely magnetic potential.
abstract: We have investigated the formation of vortices by rotating the purely magnetic potential confining a Bose-Einstein condensate. We modified the bias field of an axially symmetric TOP trap to create an elliptical potential that rotates in the radial plane. This enabled us to study the conditions for vortex nucleation over a wide range of eccentricities and rotation rates.
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hodby
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hechenblaikner
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Maragò
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Foot