45 research outputs found
Dynamics of vortex tangle without mutual friction in superfluid He
A recent experiment has shown that a tangle of quantized vortices in
superfluid He decayed even at mK temperatures where the normal fluid was
negligible and no mutual friction worked. Motivated by this experiment, this
work studies numerically the dynamics of the vortex tangle without the mutual
friction, thus showing that a self-similar cascade process, whereby large
vortex loops break up to smaller ones, proceeds in the vortex tangle and is
closely related with its free decay. This cascade process which may be covered
with the mutual friction at higher temperatures is just the one at zero
temperature Feynman proposed long ago. The full Biot-Savart calculation is made
for dilute vortices, while the localized induction approximation is used for a
dense tangle. The former finds the elementary scenario: the reconnection of the
vortices excites vortex waves along them and makes them kinked, which could be
suppressed if the mutual friction worked. The kinked parts reconnect with the
vortex they belong to, dividing into small loops. The latter simulation under
the localized induction approximation shows that such cascade process actually
proceeds self-similarly in a dense tangle and continues to make small vortices.
Considering that the vortices of the interatomic size no longer keep the
picture of vortex, the cascade process leads to the decay of the vortex line
density. The presence of the cascade process is supported also by investigating
the classification of the reconnection type and the size distribution of
vortices. The decay of the vortex line density is consistent with the solution
of the Vinen's equation which was originally derived on the basis of the idea
of homogeneous turbulence with the cascade process. The obtained result is
compared with the recent Vinen's theory.Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures, submitted to PR
Ice-rich (periglacial) vs icy (glacial) depressions in the Argyre region, Mars: a proposed cold-climate dichotomy of landforms
On Mars, so-called âscalloped depressionsâ are widely observed in Utopia Planitia (UP) and Malea Planum (MP). Typically, they are rimless, metres- to decametres-deep, incised sharply, tiered inwardly, polygonised and sometimes pitted. The depressions seemingly incise terrain that is icy and possibly thermokarstic, i.e. produced by the thermal destabilisation of the icy terrain. Agewise, the depressions are thought to be relatively youthful, originating in the Late Amazonian Epoch.Here, we report the presence of similar depressions in the Argyre region (AR) (30â60° S; 290â355° E). More importantly, we separate and differentiate these landforms into two groups: (ice-rich) periglacial depressions (Type-1); and, (icy) glacial depressions (Type-2a-c). This differentiation is presented to the Mars community for the first time.Based on a suite of morphological and geological characteristics synonymous with ice-complexes in the Lena Peninsula (eastern Russia) and the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands (Northwest Territories, Canada), we propose that the Type-1 depressions are ice-rich periglacial basins that have undergone volatile depletion largely by sublimation and as the result of thermal destabilisation. In keeping with the terms and associated definitions derived of terrestrial periglacial-geomorphology, ice-rich refers to permanently frozen-ground in which ice lenses or segregation ice (collectively referenced as excess ice) have formed.We suggest that the depressions are the product of a multi-step, cold-climate geochronology:(1) Atmospheric precipitation and surface accumulation of an icy mantle during recent high obliquities.(2) Regional or local triple-point conditions and thaw/evaporation of the mantle, either by exogenic forcing, i.e. obliquity-driven rises of aerial and sub-aerial temperatures, or endogenic forcing, i.e. along Argyre impact-related basement structures.(3) Meltwater migration into the regolith, at least to the full depth of the depressions.(4) Freeze-thaw cycling and the formation of excess ice.(5) Sublimation of the excess ice and depression formation as high obliquity dissipates and near-surface ice becomes unstable.The Type-2 depressions exhibit characteristics suggestive of (supra-glacial) dead-ice basins and snow/ice suncups observed in high-alpine landscapes on Earth, e.g. the Swiss Alps and the Himalayas. Like the Type-1 depressions, the Type-2 depressions could be the work of sublimation; however, the latter differ from the former in that they seem to develop within a glacial-like icy mantle that blankets the surface rather than within an ice-rich and periglacially-revised regolith at/near the surface.Interestingly, the Type-2 depressions overlie the Type-1 depressions at some locations. If the periglacial/glacial morphological and stratigraphical dichotomy of depressions is valid, then this points to recent glaciation at some locations within the AR being precursed by at least one episode of periglaciation. This also suggests that periglaciation has a deeper history in the region than has been thought hitherto. Moreover, if the hypothesised differences amongst the Argyre-based depressions are mirrored in Utopia Planitia and Malea Planum, then perhaps this periglacial-glacial dichotomy and its associated geochronology are as relevant to understanding late period landscape-evolution in these two regions as it is in the AR
Particles-vortex interactions and flow visualization in He4
Recent experiments have demonstrated a remarkable progress in implementing
and use of the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and particle tracking
techniques for the study of turbulence in He4. However, an interpretation of
the experimental data in the superfluid phase requires understanding how the
motion of tracer particles is affected by the two components, the viscous
normal fluid and the inviscid superfluid. Of a particular importance is the
problem of particle interactions with quantized vortex lines which may not only
strongly affect the particle motion, but, under certain conditions, may even
trap particles on quantized vortex cores. The article reviews recent
theoretical, numerical, and experimental results in this rapidly developing
area of research, putting critically together recent results, and solving
apparent inconsistencies. Also discussed is a closely related technique of
detection of quantized vortices negative ion bubbles in He4.Comment: To appear in the J Low Temperature Physic
State of the worldâs plants and fungi 2020
Kewâs State of the Worldâs Plants and Fungi project provides assessments of our current knowledge of the diversity of plants and fungi on Earth, the global threats that they face, and the policies to safeguard them. Produced in conjunction with an international scientific symposium, Kewâs State of the Worldâs Plants and Fungi sets an important international standard from which we can annually track trends in the global status of plant and fungal diversity