We calculate the critical rotation frequency at which a vortex state becomes energetically favorable over the vortex-free ground state in a harmonically trapped Bose-Einstein condensate whose atoms have dipole-dipole interactions as well as the usual $s$-wave contact interactions. In the Thomas-Fermi (hydrodynamic) regime, dipolar condensates in oblate cylindrical traps (with the dipoles aligned along the axis of symmetry of the trap) tend to have lower critical rotation frequencies than their purely $s$-wave contact interaction counterparts. The converse is true for dipolar condensates in prolate traps. Quadrupole excitations and center of mass motion are also briefly discussed as possible competing mechanisms to a vortex as means by which superfluids with partially attractive interactions might carry angular momentum.

• Received 14 August 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.75.013604