Damping of Superfluid Flow by a Thermal Cloud

Journal Article · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.103.265301· OSTI ID:21370932

Meppelink, R; Koller, S B; Vogels, J M; Straten, P van der ^[1]; Stoof, H T. C. ^[2]

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1. Atom Optics and Ultrafast Dynamics, Utrecht University, Post Office Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht (Netherlands)
2. Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Post Office Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht (Netherlands)

One of the principal signatures of superfluidity is the frictionless flow of a superfluid through another substance. Here, we study the flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate through a thermal cloud and study its damping for different harmonic confinements and temperatures. The damping rates close to the collisionless regime are found to be in good agreement with Landau damping and become smaller for more homogeneous systems. In the hydrodynamic regime, we observe additional damping due to collisions, and we discuss the implications of these findings for superfluidity in this system.

• OSTI ID: 21370932
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 103; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
CONFINEMENT
DAMPING
FLUID FLOW
IDEAL FLOW
INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW
LANDAU DAMPING
STEADY FLOW
SUPERFLUIDITY