2010/09/23 by Hui Li, Robert J. Le Roy, Pierre-Nicholas Roy +1
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Physical and Chemical Molecular Interactions #Cluster (spacecraft) #Cluster size #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Dopant #Doping #Molecular cluster #Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics #Solvation #Superfluidity #physics.atm-clus
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.105.133401
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 133401 (2010)
arxiv created 2010/09/23 · openalex publication_date 2010/09/23 · arxiv updated 2010/09/27 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Clusters of para-hydrogen (pH₂) have been predicted to exhibit superfluid behavior, but direct observation of this phenomenon has been elusive. Combining experiments and theoretical simulations, we have determined the size evolution of the superfluid response of pH₂ clusters doped with carbon dioxide (CO₂). Reduction of the effective inertia is observed when the dopant is surrounded by the pH₂ solvent. This marks the onset of molecular superfluidity in pH₂. The fractional occupation of solvation rings around CO₂ correlates with enhanced superfluid response for certain cluster sizes.