Spinning up and down a Boltzmann gas

Abstract

Using the average method, we derive a closed set of linear equations that describes the spinning up of an harmonically trapped gas by a rotating anisotropy. We find explicit expressions for the time needed to transfer angular momentum as well as the decay time induced by a static residual anisotropy. These different time scales are compared with the measured nucleation time and lifetime of vortices by Madison et al. We find a good agreement that may emphasize the role played by the noncondensed component in those experiments.