5 research outputs found
Experiments on the twisted vortex state in superfluid 3He-B
We have performed measurements and numerical simulations on a bundle of
vortex lines which is expanding along a rotating column of initially
vortex-free 3He-B. Expanding vortices form a propagating front: Within the
front the superfluid is involved in rotation and behind the front the twisted
vortex state forms, which eventually relaxes to the equilibrium vortex state.
We have measured the magnitude of the twist and its relaxation rate as function
of temperature above 0.3Tc. We also demonstrate that the integrity of the
propagating vortex front results from axial superfluid flow, induced by the
twist.Comment: prepared for proceedings of the QFS2007 symposium in Kaza
Vortex core contribution to textural energy in 3He-B below 0.4Tc
Vortex lines affect the spatial order-parameter distribution in superfluid
3He-B owing to superflow circulating around vortex cores and due to the
interaction of the order parameter in the core and in the bulk as a result of
superfluid coherence over the whole volume. The step-like change of the latter
contribution at 0.6Tc (at a pressure of 29bar) signifies the transition from
axisymmetric cores at higher temperatures to broken-symmetry cores at lower
temperatures. We extended earlier measurements of the core contribution to
temperatures below 0.2Tc, in particular searching for a possible new core
transition to lower symmetries. As a measuring tool we track the energy levels
of magnon condensate states in a trap formed by the order-parameter texture.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, submitted to proceedings of the QFS2010
conferenc
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