Local measurement of vortex statistics in quantum turbulence

TL;DR

This study measures local vortex density fluctuations in superfluid helium turbulence, revealing universal spectral behavior and skewed vortex distributions similar to classical turbulence, across different superfluid fractions.

Contribution

It introduces a micro-fabricated second sound resonator for local vortex measurements and uncovers universal vortex spectral features independent of superfluid fraction.

Findings

Vortex power spectra collapse onto a single master curve.

Vortex density distributions are strongly skewed.

Spectral shape differs from previous measurements.

Abstract

The density fluctuations of quantum vortex lines are measured in a turbulent flow of superfluid He, at temperatures corresponding to superfluid fraction of 16%, 47% and 81%. The probe is a micro-fabricated second sound resonator that allows for local and small-scale measurements in the core of the flow, at a 10-mesh-size behind a grid. Remarkably, all the vortex power spectra collapse on a single master curve, independently from the superfluid fraction and the mean velocity. By contrast with previous measurements, we report an peculiar shape of the power spectra. The vortex density probability distributions are found to be strongly skewed, similarly to the vorticity distributions observed in classical turbulence. Implications of those results are discussed.