To the theory of the electric activity of He II induced by waves of first and second sounds

TL;DR

This paper proposes a microscopic model explaining the electric signals observed in superfluid helium (He II) induced by second and first sound waves, aligning with experimental data and predicting new effects.

Contribution

It introduces a new microscopic model based on atomic polarization at surfaces, explaining electric signals in He II and predicting effects of first sound waves.

Findings

The model agrees approximately with experimental electric signals in He II.

Predicted electric signal from first sound waves at the electrode.

Explains temperature dependence of helium's polarizability.

Abstract

An approximate microscopic model is proposed for the explanation of the electric signal dU = k_B dT/(2e) observed by A.S. Rybalko in He II in the experiments with standing half-wave of second sound. The model is based on the idea, due to Gutlyanskii, of the one-directional polarization of He-4 atoms located at the electrode surface. The calculated parameters of the electric signal are in approximate agreement with the experimental ones. It is also predicted that a standing half-wave of first sound should induce a variable signal with amplitude dU ~ dp/(en) ~ 3*10^{-5} dp*V/atm at the electrode. It is shown also that the dependence of the polarizability of helium on temperature, A(T), can be explained if the tidal polarization of atoms is taken into account. A possibility of the existence of the "dry" friction in He II at temperatures T < 0.5-1 K is discussed.