Quantum Corrections to Classical Kinetics: the Weight of Rotation

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum corrections to classical gas dynamics by incorporating vortex structures and wavefunction descriptions, leading to observable deviations in thermodynamic and transport properties.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-informed model of gas hydrodynamics that accounts for vortex volume exclusion and wavefunction effects, extending classical Navier-Stokes equations.

Findings

Deviations in rigid body rotation for cylindrically bound gases

Variations in specific heat and thermal conductivity due to quantum effects

Potential for new experiments in magneto-optical traps at higher temperatures

Abstract

Hydrodynamics of gases in the classical domain are examined from the perspective that the gas has a well-defined wavefunction description at all times. Specifically, the internal energy and volume exclusion of decorrelated vortex structures are included so that quantum corrections and modifications to Navier-Stokes behavior can be derived. This leads to a small deviation in rigid body rotation for a cylindrically bound gas and the internal energy changes associated with vorticity give deviations in the Reynolds' transport theorem. Some macroscopic observable features arising from this include variations in the specific heat, an anisotropic correction to thermal conductivity and a variation in optical scattering as a function of the declination from the axis of local vorticity. The improvements in magneto-optical traps suggests some interesting experiments to be done in higher temperature regimes where they are not usually employed. It is argued that the finite lifetime of observed vortices in ultracold bosonic gases is only apparent and these volume excluding structures persist in generating angular momentum and pressure in the cloud in a non-imageable form.