Analysis of Strong-Coupling Parameters for Superfluid 3He

Superfluid $^{3}$He experiments show strong deviation from the weak-coupling limit of the Ginzburg-Landau theory, and this discrepancy grows with increasing pressure. Strong-coupling contributions to the quasiparticle interactions are known to account for this effect and they are manifest in the five $\beta$-coefficients of the fourth order Ginzburg-Landau free energy terms. The Ginzburg-Landau free energy also has a coefficient $g_{z}$ to include magnetic field coupling to the order parameter. From NMR susceptibility experiments, we find the deviation of $g_{z}$ from its weak-coupling value to be negligible at all pressures. New results for the pressure dependence of four different combinations of $\beta$-coefficients, $\beta$_{345}, $\beta$_{12}, $\beta$_{245}, and $\beta$_{5} are calculated and comparison is made with theory.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. Manuscript prepared for QFS200

Periodic Vortex Structures in Superfluid 3He-A

We discuss the general properties of periodic vortex arrangements in rotating superfluids. The different possible structures are classified according to the symmetry space-groups and the circulation number. We calculate numerically several types of vortex structures in superfluid 3He-A. The calculations are done in the Ginzburg-Landau region, but the method is applicable at all temperatures. A phase diagram of vortices is constructed in the plane formed by the magnetic field and the rotation velocity. The characteristics of the six equilibrium vortex solutions are discussed. One of these, the locked vortex 3, has not been considered in the literature before. The vortex sheet forms the equilibrium state of rotating 3He-A at rotation velocities exceeding 2.6 rad/s. The results are in qualitative agreement with experiments.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, http://boojum.hut.fi/research/theory/diagram.htm

The dynamics of vortex generation in superfluid 3He-B

A profound change occurs in the stability of quantized vortices in externally applied flow of superfluid 3He-B at temperatures ~ 0.6 Tc, owing to the rapidly decreasing damping in vortex motion with decreasing temperature. At low damping an evolving vortex may become unstable and generate a new independent vortex loop. This single-vortex instability is the generic precursor to turbulence. We investigate the instability with non-invasive NMR measurements on a rotating cylindrical sample in the intermediate temperature regime (0.3 - 0.6) Tc. From comparisons with numerical calculations we interpret that the instability occurs at the container wall, when the vortex end moves along the wall in applied flow.Comment: revised & extended version. Journal of Low Temperature Physics, accepted (2008

First-order cosmological phase transitions in the radiation dominated era

We consider first-order phase transitions of the Universe in the radiation-dominated era. We argue that in general the velocity of interfaces is non-relativistic due to the interaction with the plasma and the release of latent heat. We study the general evolution of such slow phase transitions, which comprise essentially a short reheating stage and a longer phase equilibrium stage. We perform a completely analytical description of both stages. Some rough approximations are needed for the first stage, due to the non-trivial relations between the quantities that determine the variation of temperature with time. The second stage, instead, is considerably simplified by the fact that it develops at a constant temperature, close to the critical one. Indeed, in this case the equations can be solved exactly, including back-reaction on the expansion of the Universe. This treatment also applies to phase transitions mediated by impurities. We also investigate the relations between the different parameters that govern the characteristics of the phase transition and its cosmological consequences, and discuss the dependence of these parameters with the particle content of the theory.Comment: 38 pages, 3 figures; v2: Minor changes, references added; v3: several typos correcte

MEASUREMENTS OF THE THERMAL BOUNDARY RESISTANCE BETWEEN 3He AND SILVER FROM 0,4 TO 10 mK.

Nous avons mesuré de 0.4 à 10 mK la résistance de contact thermique entre l'3He à pression nulle et une poudre d'argent frittée. Nous trouvons une loi de variation en 1/T.The thermal boundary resistance between silver sinter and 3He at zero pressure has been found to have a 1/T temperature dependence from 0.4 to 10 mK

A REFRIGERATOR WITH A DOUBLE NUCLEAR STAGE FOR RESEARCH ON SUPERFLUID 3He

Nous décrivons un réfrigérateur qui utilise un double étage de désaimantation nucléaire en cuivre et une cellule à 3He en argent. L'appareil a refroidi de l'3He superfluide à 0,38 mK et il reste en dessous de 0,5 mK pendant 30 heures.A refrigerator employing a double copper nuclear stage and a silver 3He cell is described. The apparatus has cooled superfluid 3He to 0.38 mK and the 3He sample stays below 0.5 mK for 30 hours

Gene Expression Differences between Noccaea caerulescens Ecotypes Help to Identify Candidate Genes for Metal Phytoremediation

Populations of Noccaea caerulescens show tremendous differences in their capacity to hyperaccumulate and hypertolerate metals. To explore the differences that could contribute to these traits, we undertook SOLiD high-throughput sequencing of the root transcriptomes of three phenotypically well-characterized N. caerulescens accessions, i.e., Ganges, La Calamine, and Monte Prinzera. Genes with possible contribution to zinc, cadmium, and nickel hyperaccumulation and hypertolerance were predicted. The most significant differences between the accessions were related to metal ion (di-, trivalent inorganic cation) transmembrane transporter activity, iron and calcium ion binding, (inorganic) anion transmembrane transporter activity, and antioxidant activity. Analysis of correlation between the expression profile of each gene and the metal-related characteristics of the accessions disclosed both previously characterized (HMA4, HMA3) and new candidate genes (e.g., for nickel IRT1, ZIP10, and PDF2.3) as possible contributors to the hyperaccumulation/tolerance phenotype. A number of unknown Noccaea-specific transcripts also showed correlation with Zn2+, Cd2+, or Ni2+ hyperaccumulation/tolerance. This study shows that N. caerulescens populations have evolved great diversity in the expression of metal-related genes, facilitating adaptation to various metalliferous soils. The information will be helpful in the development of improved plants for metal phytoremediation