The transverse acoustic impedance of He II

The complex shear acoustic impedance of liquid He II has been measured at frequenciesf(=/2) of 20.5, 34.1, and 47.8 MHz from 30 mK to the -point T (2.176 K). The impedanceZ was found from the temperature dependence of the quality factor and the resonant frequency of a thickness shear mode quartz crystal resonator immersed in the liquid. The relationship for a hydrodynamic viscous liquidZ(T)=(1–i)(f _n )^1/2 was used to measure the temperature dependence of the viscosity (T) using tabulated values of the normal fluid density _n (T). Deviations from hydrodynamic behavior occurred when the viscous penetration depth was less than the superfluid healing length, the phonon mean free path, and the roton mean free path. Near the -point,Z(T)/Z(T) was frequency dependent and a value for the superfluid healing lengtha=(0.10±0.01)^–2/3 nm was found, where =(T–T)/T. The effects of van der Waals forces near the crystal surface were also observed and a layer model was used to interpret the measurements. Below 1.8 K only rotons contribute significantly toZ and we determined the roton relaxation time as _r =8.5×10^–14 T ^–1/3 exp (8.65/T) sec. Below 1.2 K, _r >1 and we investigated the breakdown of hydrodynamics in this region. ForT<0.6 K the resonant frequency of the crystals decreased by f/f=2×10^–7, but the origin of this effect is not yet known.Financial support provided by the SERC, Bedford College, and the Central Research Fund, University of London.     

Transport properties of helium near the liquid-vapor critical point. II. Thermal conductivity of a3He-4He mixture

Measurements of the thermal conductivity are reported for an 80%³He-20%⁴He mixture above the critical point along several isotherms and near-critical isochores, using the same techniques and apparatus described for a study of³He. Using again the assumption that the observed conductivity can be decomposed into a sum of a regular and a singular contribution _reg and _sing, it is shown that along two near-critical isochores, _sing diverges. In particular, along the isochore showing the largest at the phase transition, the divergence is nearly the same as for³He and can be roughly characterized by a simple power law (T-T_c)^– with 0.58. This observation is contrary to predictions that foresee _sing0 asT _c is approached. The relaxation times characterizing the attainment of steady state conditions after switching the heat flux on and off show a similar behaviour as a function of reduced temperature as do those for pure³He. This result might indicate a substantial coupling between concentration and entropy diffusion. In the Appendix, the correlation length for³He nearT _c is calculated from heat conductivity, viscosity, and specific heat data.Work supported by Grant DMR 8024056 of the National Science Foundation.     

Influence of interstitial oxygen on the superconducting transition temperature of vanadium

The critical temperatureT _c and residual resistivity ₀ were measured in homogeneously oxidized thin vanadium foils. The per at % oxygen induced variations are respectively T _c =–1.2K and ₀=53 n-m. TheT _c data are used to calculate the electron-phonon coupling constant, which decreases 5% per at % of oxygen.     

Third sound in3He-4He mixture films

We report third-sound studies of³He-⁴He mixture films for 0.3T1.8 K carried out in two different experimental situations. In one experiment detailed measurements of the amplitude of both the temperature and thickness variation of the film were made for pure⁴He and the results for |T/d| are in good agreement with the predictions of Bergman. Mixture studies in this apparatus were made difficult due to the presence of capillary condensation. In spite of this a number of interesting results are reported. Subsequent measurements were made in a new apparatus where capillary condensation effects could be demonstrably avoided. Helium films of 5.7 layers of⁴He were studied as a function of added amounts of³He. BelowT0.7 K the third-sound measurements are consistent with model calculations based on a bilayer film. We conclude that for 0.3T0.6 K films of the type we have studied are isotopically layered in the van der Waals field provided by the substrate.     

Time-dependent thermal convection in dilute solutions of 3He in superfluid 4He

Time-dependent thermal convection can occur in a unity-aspect-ratio Rayleigh-Beard convection cell containing a dilute solution of ³He in superfluid ⁴He when the fluid is heated from above. Results are presented primarily for a 0.24 mole % He solution at 0.925 K. Means is provided for introducing heat at the top and separately for a central plug and an outer ring such that both are at a constant temperature gDT above the bottom. A critical temperature difference T _cfor convection can be defined above which both steady and time-dependent convection occur. The time-dependent effects include a region of T. near T _cand characterized only by excessive noise, a region of somewhat higher T where there are intermittent major changes in the plug heating rate with a time distribution like that for random events, and a region at still higher T where periodic but nonsinusoidal variation of the heat flow is observed. When a long enough time, several months, has elapsed after cooling down the apparatus, time-dependent states no longer occur, and the heat flow above T _cis limited to steady convection. Briefly raising the temperature of the apparatus to 77 K is sufficient to restore the possibility of time-dependent states.     

Thermal transport properties in helium near the superfluid transition. III. Dilute3He-4He mixtures in the normal phase

An experimental study is presented for the thermal conductivity and the thermal relaxation for dilute mixtures of³He in⁴He with concentration 9×10^–4X(³He)5×10^–2 at saturated vapor pressure and in the normal phase near the superfluid transition. The conductivity results for are compared with predictions by Dohm and Folk from field-theoretic renormalization group(RG) theory. The conductivity _s =[^–1(T)–^–1(T)]^–1, is compared with Ahlers' phenomenological arguments, and also with predictions by Dohm and Folk and by Onuki. The temperature difference transient T(t) across the fluid, measured as a function of timet after switching on and off the heat current, is analyzed. The thermal diffusion ratiok _T and the mass diffusion coefficientD are obtained by fitting the calculated transient to the experimental one. The results are compared with the predictions that follow from the RG approach by Dohm and Folk. Very good agreement is obtained fork _T. The transient is not very sensitive toD, and hence the determination is not accurate. Yet within the uncertainty, the deducedD also agrees with predictions. Appendices give (1) the corrections to from finite heat effects, (2) the calculation of the concentration susceptibility (X/) _T,P , and (3) the calculation procedure for ,k _T, andD using the RG approach of Dohm and Folk.     

Equation of state of3He near its liquid-vapor critical point

We report high-resolution measurements of the pressure coefficient (P/T) for³He in both the one-phase and two-phase regions close to the critical point. These include data on 40 isochores over the intervals–0.1t+0.1 and–0.2+0.2, wheret=(T–T _c )/T _c and =(– _c )/ _c . We have determined the discontinuity (P/T) of (P/T) between the one-phase and the two-phase regions along the coexistence curve as a function of . The asymptotic behavior of (1/) (P/T) versus near the critical point gives a power law with an exponent (+–1)^–1=1.39±0.02 for0.010.2 or–1×10 ^–2t–10 ^–6 , from which we deduce =1.14±0.01, using =0.361 determined from the shape of the coexistence curve. An analysis of the discontinuity (P/T) with a correction-to-scaling term gives =1.17±0.02. The quoted errors are fromstatistics alone. Furthermore, we combine our data with heat capacity results by Brown and Meyer to calculate (/T) _c as a function oft. In the two-phase region the slope (²/T ²)_c is different from that in the one-phase region. These findings are discussed in the light of the predictions from simple scaling and more refined theories and model calculations. For the isochores 0 we form a scaling plot to test whether the data follow simple scaling, which assumes antisymmetry of – ( _c ,t) as a function of on both sides of the critical isochore. We find that indeed this plot shows that the assumption of simple scaling holds reasonably well for our data over the ranget0.1. A fit of our data to the linear model approximation is obtained for0.10 andt0.02, giving a value of =1.16±0.02. Beyond this range, deviations between the fit and the data are greater than the experimental scatter. Finally we discuss the (P/T) data analysis for ⁴ He by Kierstead. A power law plot of (1/) P/T) versus belowT _c leads to =1.13±0.10. An analysis with a correction-to-scaling term gives =1.06±0.02. In contrast to ³ He, the slopes (²/T ²)_c above and belowT _c are only marginally different.Work supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.     

Dynamic scaling and ultrasonic attenuation in 4He near the superfluid transition point

Attenuation of first sound has been measured in ⁴He under saturated vapor pressure near the lambda temperature T at frequencies /2 ranging from 10.2 to 271 MHz. The frequency dependence of the critical part of the attenuation is determined and the dynamic scaling hypothesis is examined. Above the lambda point, it is found that the critical attenuation is described by a scaling function (, ) = ^1+y F(), where = ₀^–x and = T/T – 1, with the results x = 1.02±0.05 and y = 0.33±0.03. The characteristic frequency of the order-parameter fluctuation with the wave number k equal to the inverse correlation length is then proportional to ^x , which is in an excellent agreement with the prediction of dynamic scaling. Below the lambda point, a characteristic relaxation time or times shorter than previously expected at lower frequencies appears to exist in the present frequency range.Based on a Ph.D dissertation submitted by K. Tozaki to the University of Tokyo (1977).     

Anisotropic spin diffusion and multiple spin echoes in3He-4He solutions

We propose a ₁-t₁-₂ pulse-NMR experiment to detect the spin-diffusion anisotropy, =D-D, in degenerate spin-polarized³He-⁴He mixtures, where D and dare the transverse and longitudinal spin diffusion coefficients. In such an experiment the nonlinearity of the dynamics produces multiple spin echoes (MSE). At the ³He concentration x₃ 4% the spinrotation parameter vanishes (M 0), so that the nonlinearity of the equations of motion is entirely due to the anisotropy. In this situation, detection of MSE amounts to observation of D. For slight anisotropy, i.e. D/D 0.25, we use a perturbation scheme similiar to that developed by Einzel et al. (in that case, for small M and small demagnetizing field) to calculate the second and third echo heights. For larger anisotropy we numerically calculate the echo heights. We find that for D/D = 0.5 the heights are 2 % of the first echo, and should be detectable. The (₁, ₂) tip-angle dependence of the D echoes is different from that of the M and demagnetization echoes, and furthermore, they occur at right angles to these echoes (in spin space). Thus, even when small spin-rotation and demagnetization effects are present, the ₁-t₁-₂ experiment provides a sensitive means of detecting the anisotropy.     

Spectral shape dependence in the very strong coupling regime of Eliashberg theory

The effect of ² F() shape dependence on several physical properties of superconductors is studied at various values of the strong coupling indexT _c/ _ln . Our results indicate that the degree of shape dependence of each property is sensitive to the value ofT _c/ _ln . Generally, for the region we examine, 0.25T _c/ _ln 1.3, the dependence on shape is found to be higher than in the conventional strong coupling regimeT _c/ _ln 0.2. However, with the exception of the mass enhancement parameter , the amount of shape dependence does not increase steadily withT _c/ _ln and there appears to be regions of maximum shape sensitivity.     

Thermal conductivity of 4He vapor as a function of density

Measurements of the dependence of the thermal conductivity (T, ) of ⁴He vapor on the density are presented at 3.3 and 4.5 K. The initial dependence upon near = 0 agrees with the prediction of the modified Enskog theory; but at higher densities there are departures from the prediction. The excess thermal conductivity (T, ) – (T, 0) is independent of T within experimental error.     

Zero Sound Attenuation Near the Quantum Limit in Normal Liquid 3He Close to the Superfluid Transition

The zero sound attenuation of normal liquid ³He has been studied over a range of temperatures from slightly above the superfluid transition temperature, T _c, to approximately 10mK at the constant pressures of 1 and 5bar. Using longitudinal LiNbO₃ transducers, operating both on and off resonance, the experiment was performed at 15 discrete frequencies located in several broadband frequency windows, including 16–25, 60–70, and 105–111MHz. The results are compared to Landau's prediction for the attenuation of zero sound in the quantum limit, (k _B Tk _B T _F), where ₀(P,T, )= (P) T ²{1+(/2k _B T)²}. Calibration of the received zero sound signals was performed by measuring the temperature dependence of the first sound attenuation from 30 to 800mK at those same frequencies and pressures. The data are compared to previous results.     

Singular behavior of the mass conductivity of liquid4He in a superleak at the superfluid transition

From measurements of the damping of sound in liquid ⁴ He caused by fluid penetration into a porous medium at the superfluid transitionT _s, we have deduced a critical temperature dependence of the mass conductivity of the form (T–T _s ) ^{–0.31±0.03}      

Density Response and Equilibration in a Pure Fluid Near the Liquid-Vapor Critical Point: 3He

We report measurements of the local density response inside a quasi 1-D horizontal ³ He fluid layer to a step-like change T of the boundary temperature, where |T| 80 K and much smaller than |T – T_c| where T_c is the critical temperature. These experiments used a new cell design, described in the text, and were carried out along the critical isochore both above and below T_c. The observed temporal and spatial density response (t, z) and its equilibration time are described adequately by the relations developed from the thermodynamic theory of Onuki and Ferrell. We verify that over the temperature range of low stratification, where computer simulations and closed-form calculations can be compared, they are in exact agreement. The systematic differences of experimental results from predictions can be accounted for by the departure of the cell from the ideal 1-D geometry. The much larger disagreement between the experimental and predicted equilibration time scale in earlier experiments is also explained. Finally, deviations from linearity observed in the density response for steps |T| larger than 90 K are reported and the implications of such nonlinearity for the (t, z) profile and especially the effective relaxation time _eff are analyzed. We also discuss the predicted onset of convection near T_c for the conditions in our experiment. In the Appendix, the likely sources for systematic deviations in the density response function for the experimental cell from calculations in the ideal 1-D geometry are presented and their effects calculated. The so-obtained response function Z_F(, z) is compared with previously published data.     

Superfluid density near the lambda point of4He under pressure

The superfluid density in ⁴ He was determined near T from the second-sound velocity as a function of T–T and pressure. The critical exponent of the superfluid density was found to depend, even slightly, on the pressure. Furthermore, the fundamental length ₀ in the coherence length = ₀ [1–(T/T)]^–' seemed to be proportional to the mean interatomic distance. The implications of the results are also discussed.This work was partly supported by The Ito Science Foundation and by The Nishina Memorial Foundation.     

Temperature dependence of electrical resistivity of deformed and undeformed V-rich V3Si single crystals

The electrical resistivity (T) of V-rich V₃Si single crystals (T _c-11.4 K) was measured from 4.2 to 300 K along the directions of [1 0 0] and [1 1 1] before and after plastic deformation at 1573 K. Anisotropy of (T) was observed although V₃Si has the cubic A15 structure. Plastic deformation does not affect the normal-state (T) behaviour but changes the normal-superconducting transition width T_c. At low temperatures (T _c<T 40 K), (T) varies approximately as T ⁿ where n-2.5 and this behaviour does not contradict the (0)- phase-diagram plot proposed by Gurvitch, where is the electron-phonon coupling constant and (0) is the residual resistivity.     

Broadband Frequency Study of the Zero Sound Attenuation Near the Quantum Limit in Normal Liquid 3He Close to the Superfluid Transition

The zero sound attenuation, ₀(,T, P), of normal liquid ³ He has been studied over a broad range of frequency (/2 = 8 – 50 MHz). Data has been collected at a constant temperature (T 1.1 mK) which is just above the superfluid transition temperature, T _c , when the liquid is near a pressure, P, of 1 bar. The results are compared to Landau's prediction in the quantum limit, k _B T k _B T _F , where ₀(,T,P) = (P) T ²[l + (/2k _B T)²]. Deviations from Landau's prediction are compared to the results of other workers and are discussed with respect to additional (unidentified) extrinsic background effects and (possible) intrinsic scattering mechanisms due to fluctuations in the liquid.     

The transverse acoustic impedance of He II under pressure

The transverse acoustic impedanceZ of bulk liquid He II has been measured at a frequency of 20.5 MHz at temperatures from 30 mK to 2.2 K, at pressures up to 25 bar. Results at SVP have been published previously. The impedance was found from the temperature dependence of the quality factor and resonant frequency of an AT-cut quartz crystal resonator immersed in the liquid. Below 0.5 K the crystal also acts as a microbalance and a change in frequency associated with a loss peak at 10 bar is interpreted as the localization of a second layer of⁴He atoms. At higher pressures no further growth of solid⁴He on the crystal surfaces was observed. Between 0.6 and 1.6 K we interpretZ as being primarily due to rotons and we have determined the roton relaxation time at all pressures as =(8.5±0.4)×10^–14 T ^–1/3 exp (/kT) sec, using the theory by Roberts and Donnelly, where is the roton energy gap. The transition from hydrodynamic viscous behavior to the nonhydrodynamic regime was investigated in detail. The data were consistent with completely diffuse scattering of the rotons at the gold-plated electrodes on the crystal. Measurements near the -point, forT/T >0.99, were analyzed to determine the superfluid healing length asa(T)=(0.10±0.02)^–2/3 nm, where =1–T/T , at all pressures. An analysis of data for 0.1 gave a slightly larger value, equivalent toa(T)=(0.13±0.02)^–2/3 nm. Below 1.6 K the excess normal fluid density associated with the healing layer is similar to that found in thin films.     

Sound propagation in 3He-4He mixtures near the superfluid transition

Measurements of the acoustic attenuation and dispersion in liquid ³He-⁴He mixtures near the superfluid transition T (x) are reported. The frequency range is /2gp=1–45 MHz and the ³He mole fraction X of the mixtures is 0.007, 0.05, 0.15, and 0.36. Comparisons are made with the measurements of Buchal and Pobell for similar mixtures obtained in the kHz region, and on the whole, the consistency between the two experiments is very satisfactory. An analysis is then performed using both the kHz and MHz data. In the normal phase, where the energy dissipation is caused by order parameter fluctuations having a lifetime _F , the attenuation data can all be scaled according to the expression = (T )f(_F. Here (T )^1+y, with y being a function of the mole fraction X and _F(T–T )^–x, with x increasing weakly with X. In the superfluid phase, we attempt a similar scaling representation, which is found to be fairly successful, but where x(T\s-T ) is roughly 15% larger than x(T>T ). In the superfluid phase we also analyze the attenuation data, assuming the additivity of relaxation and fluctuation-dissipation mechanism, and discuss the relaxation times so derived. In contrast to the attenuation, the dispersion data cannot be brought satisfactorily into a scaling representation. However, at T , we find U()-U(0)^y as predicted by Kawasaki, where y is in good agreement with the values from attenuation experiments.Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.     

Transverse Spin Diffusion in a Dilute Spin-Polarized Degenerate Fermi Gas

We re-examine the calculation of the transverse spin-diffusion coefficient in a dilute degenerate spin-polarized Fermi gas, for the case of s-wave scattering. The special feature of this limit is that the dependence of the spin diffusion coefficient on temperature and field can be calculated explicitly with no further approximations. This exact solution uncovers a novel intermediate behaviour between the high field spin-rotation dominated regime in which D H^–2 , D T^–2 , and the low-field isotropic, collision dominated regime with D = D T^–2 . In this intermediate regime, D_, T^–2 but D D. We emphasize that the low-field crossover cannot be described within the relaxation time approximation. We also present an analytical calculation of the self-energy in the s-wave approximation for a dilute spin-polarized Fermi gas, at zero temperature. This emphasizes the failure of the conventional Fermi-liquid phase space arguments for processes involving spin flips. We close by reviewing the evidence for the existence of the intermediate regime in experiments on weakly spin-polarized ³ He and ³ He– ⁴ He mixtures.