Anisotropic 2D Larkin-Imry-Ma state in polar distorted ABM phase of 3He in "nematically ordered" aerogel

TL;DR

This paper investigates the anisotropic 2D Larkin-Imry-Ma state in the polar distorted ABM phase of superfluid 3He confined in nearly parallel aerogel strands, revealing how squeezing the aerogel induces anisotropy affecting NMR properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates the formation of an anisotropic 2D Larkin-Imry-Ma state in superfluid 3He within polarized aerogel and shows how anisotropy varies with aerogel squeezing, impacting NMR signals.

Findings

Identification of anisotropic 2D Larkin-Imry-Ma state in superfluid 3He

Different anisotropy levels in ESP1 and ESP2 phases

Correlation between aerogel squeezing and NMR property changes

Abstract

We present results of experiments in superfluid phases of 3He confined in aerogel which strands are nearly parallel to one another. High temperature superfluid phases of 3He in this aerogel (ESP1 and ESP2) are chiral phases and have polar distorted ABM order parameter which orbital part forms 2D Larkin-Imry-Ma state. We demonstrate that this state can be anisotropic if the aerogel is squeezed in direction transverse to the strands. Values of this anisotropy in ESP1 and ESP2 phases are different, what leads to different NMR properties.