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Superflow in Solid 4He

Other Condensed Matter 2009-11-10 v1 Superconductivity

Abstract

Kim and Chan have recently observed Non-Classical Rotational Inertia (NCRI) for solid 4^4He in Vycor glass, gold film, and bulk. Their low TT value of the superfluid fraction, ρs/ρ0.015\rho_{s}/\rho\approx0.015, is consistent with what is known of the atomic delocalization in this quantum solid. By including a lattice mass density ρL\rho_{L} distinct from the normal fluid density ρn\rho_{n}, we argue that ρs(T)ρs(0)ρn(T)\rho_{s}(T)\approx\rho_{s}(0)-\rho_{n}(T), and we develop a model for the normal fluid density ρn\rho_{n} with contributions from longitudinal phonons and ``defectons'' (which dominate). The Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) and macroscopic phase inferred from NCRI implies quantum vortex lines and quantum vortex rings, which may explain the unusually low critical velocity and certain hysteretic phenomena.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0407166,
  title  = {Superflow in Solid 4He},
  author = {Wayne M. Saslow},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0407166},
  year   = {2009}
}

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