Flux Bottlenecks in the Mass Superflux in Solid Helium

TL;DR

This study investigates the flow limitations of superfluid helium within solid helium, revealing a bottleneck effect and temperature-dependent flux behavior linked to phase slips in quasi-one-dimensional pathways.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of internal flux bottlenecks in solid helium and discusses their temperature dependence in relation to phase slip phenomena.

Findings

Pressure change kinetics are slower at more distant gauges.

Presence of a mass flux bottleneck inside solid helium.

Maximum flux shows a temperature-dependent crossover.

Abstract

Superfluid \4he atoms are injected (withdrawn) asymmetrically into (from) a chamber filled with solid \4he. Two in situ capacitance pressure gauges are located at the ends of the solid helium sample at different distances from where the superfluid meets the solid \4he. The pressure change kinetics are slower at the more distant gauge. This demonstrates the presence of a mass flux bottleneck inside the solid helium sample. The temperature dependence of the maximum flux reveals a crossover and this is discussed in the context of phase slips on quasi-1-D pathways.