Vector solitons in a spin-orbit coupled spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensate

Five-component minimum-energy bound states and mobile vector solitons of a spin-orbit-coupled quasi-one-dimensional hyperfine-spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensate are studied using the numerical solution and variational approximation of a mean-field model. Two distinct types of solutions with single-peak and multi-peak density distribution of the components are identified in different domains of interaction parameters. From an analysis of Galilean invariance and time-reversal symmetry of the Hamiltonian, we establish that vector solitons with multi-peak density distribution preserve time-reversal symmetry, but cannot propagate maintaining the shape of individual components. However, those with single-peak density distribution violate time-reversal symmetry of the Hamiltonian, but can propagate with a constant velocity maintaining the shape of individual components.