Thin Films of 3He -- Implications on the Identification of 3 He -A

TL;DR

This paper discusses how thin film experiments can differentiate between axial and axiplanar states of 3He-A, which is crucial for correct identification of its superfluid phase.

Contribution

It proposes using thin film geometries to detect a second order phase transition between axial and axiplanar states of 3He-A.

Findings

A second order phase transition can occur as a function of film thickness or temperature.

Thin film experiments can help distinguish between the axial and axiplanar states.

The identification of 3He-A phase can be clarified through proposed experimental methods.

Abstract

Recently the identification of 3He-A with the axial state has been questioned. It is suggested that the A-phase can actually be in the axiplanar state. We point out in the present paper that experiments in a film geometry may be useful to distinguish the above two possibilities. In particular a second order phase transition between an axial and an axiplanar state would occur as a function of thickness or temperature.