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Vortex formation in neutron-irradiated superfluid Helium 3 as an analogue of cosmological defect formation.

Author(s) : RUUTU V. M. H., ELTSOV V. B., GILL A. J., KIBBLE T. W. B., KRUSIUS M., MAKHLIN Y. G., PLACAIS B., VOLOVIK G. E., XU W.

Type of article: Article

Summary

The article reports the results of an experiment in which the "primordial fireball" is mimicked using a neutron-induced nuclear reaction to heat small regions of superfluid Helium 3 above the superfluid transition temperature. These bubbles of normal liquid cool extremely rapidly, and the authors find that their transition back to the superfluid state is accompanied by the formation of a random network of vortices (the superfluid analogue of cosmic strings). They monitor the evolution of this defect state by rotating the superfluid sample, allowing vortices to escape from the network and thus be probed individually. The results provide clear confirmation of the idea that topological defects form at a rapid second-order phase transition, and give quantitative support to the Kibble-Zurek mechanism of cosmological defect formation.

Details

  • Original title: Vortex formation in neutron-irradiated superfluid Helium 3 as an analogue of cosmological defect formation.
  • Record ID : 1997-0659
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Nature - vol. 382 - n. 6589
  • Publication date: 1996/07/25
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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