Sub-barrier cavitation in liquid helium

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum tunneling process of cavitation bubble formation in liquid helium isotopes using a Schrödinger-like model, considering atomic interactions and bubble growth dynamics under negative pressure.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum tunneling framework for cavitation in liquid helium, incorporating Lennard-Jones interactions and bubble growth limitations, which is a novel approach in this context.

Findings

Quantum tunneling significantly influences cavitation in helium.

The model accounts for atomic interactions and bubble growth constraints.

Results suggest specific conditions under which cavitation occurs in helium.

Abstract

In this paper, the tunneling mechanism of cavitation in liquid helium for 3He and 4He is considered on the basis of the Schr\"odinger-like equation. It is assumed that the pairwise interactions of helium atoms are determined by the Lennard-Jones potential. The kinetics of nucleation and the mechanism that limits the growth of cavitation bubbles in liquid helium are considered, taking into account their growth in a negative pressure field.