2011/06/06 by Michael Ray, M. W. Ray, R. B. Hallock
Chemistry · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Analytical Chemistry (journal) #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Chemistry #Chromatography #Condensed matter physics #Flow (mathematics) #Flux (metallurgy) #Mass flux #Materials science #Mechanics #Physics #Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics #Solid solution #Superconducting Materials and Applications #Superfluidity #Thermodynamics #cond-mat.other
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.84.144512
20 pages, 22 figures, 7 tables
arxiv created 2011/06/06 · openalex publication_date 2011/10/10 · arxiv updated 2015/05/28 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Using an apparatus that allows superfluid liquid 4He to be in contact with hcp solid 4He at pressures greater than the bulk melting pressure of the solid, we have performed experiments that show evidence for 4He mass flux through the solid and the likely presence of superfluid inside the solid. We present results that show that a thermomechanical equilibrium in quantitative agreement with the fountain effect exists between two liquid reservoirs connected to each other through two superfluid-filled Vycor rods in series with a chamber filled with solid 4He. We use the thermomechanical effect to induce flow through the solid and measure the flow rate. On cooling, mass flux appears near T=600 mK and rises smoothly as the temperature is lowered. Near T=75 mK a sharp drop in the flux is present. The flux increases as the temperature is reduced below 75 mK. We comment on possible causes of this flux minimum.