Quantum Turbulence of Bellows-Driven 4He Superflow: Decay

TL;DR

This study investigates the decay of quantum turbulence in superfluid helium driven by bellows, revealing decay behaviors similar to thermal counterflow and highlighting differences that could inform turbulence theory.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison of vortex-line decay in bellows-driven superflow with thermal counterflow under identical conditions.

Findings

Initial fast decay approaches t^{-1} for low initial line density.

Late-time decay follows t^{-3/2}, indicating quasi-classical eddy decay.

Differences in decay regimes may be key to understanding counterflow turbulence.

Abstract

We report on studies of quantum turbulence with second-sound in superfluid 4He in which the turbulence is generated by the flow of the superfluid component through a wide square channel, the ends of which are plugged with sintered silver superleaks, the flow being generated by compression of a bellows. The superleaks ensure that there is no net flow of the normal fluid. In an earlier paper (Phys. Rev. B, 86, 134515 (2012)) we have shown that steady flow of this kind generates a density of vortex lines that is essentially identical with that generated by thermal counterflow, when the average relative velocity between the two fluids is the same. In this paper we report on studies of the temporal decay of the vortex-line density, observed when the bellows is stopped, and we compare the results with those obtained from the temporal decay of thermal counterflow re-measured in the same channel and under the same conditions. In both cases here is an initial fast decay which, for low enough initial line density approaches for a short time the form $t^{-1}$ characteristic of the decay of a random vortex tangle. This is followed at late times by a slower $t^{-3/2}$ decay, characteristic of the decay of large 'quasi-classical eddies'. However, in the range of investigated parameters, we observe always in the case of thermal counterflow, and only in a few cases of high steady-state velocity in superflow, an intermediate regime in which the decay either does not proceed monotonically with time or passes through a point of inflexion. This difference, established firmly by our experiments, might represent one essential ingredient for the full theoretical understanding of counterflow turbulence.