Observation of Coherent Precession of Magnetization in Superfluid 3He A-phase

TL;DR

This paper reports the first observation of stable coherent quantum precession of magnetization in superfluid 3He-A within aerogel, demonstrating a new quantum state stabilized by anisotropic confinement.

Contribution

It demonstrates the stabilization of coherent precession in superfluid 3He-A using anisotropic aerogel, confirming a theoretical prediction about orbital momentum orientation.

Findings

First observation of coherent precession in 3He-A in aerogel

Stable precession achieved by orienting orbital momentum along magnetic field

Dissipation in aerogel precession states is higher than in bulk 3He-B

Abstract

We report the first observation of coherent quantum precession of magnetization (CQP) in superfluid 3He-A in aerogel. The coherent precession in bulk 3He A-phase is unstable due to the positive feedback of spin supercurrent to the gradient of phase of precession. It was predicted that the homogeneous precession will be stable if the orbital momentum of 3He-A could be oriented along the magnetic field. We have succeeded to prepare this configuration by emerging 3He in uniaxially-deformed anisotropic aerogel. The dissipation rate of coherent precession states in aerogel is much larger then one in bulk 3He-B. We propose a mechanism of this dissipation.