Using the non-wetting properties of a cesiated surface to create a free standing {open_quotes}slab{close_quotes} of superfluid helium four

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Bulletin of the American Physical Society

OSTI ID:375055

Williams, M; Giese, C; Halley, J W

The authors report calculations showing that it should be possible to suspend a {open_quotes}slab{close_quotes} of superfuid liquid helium across a hole in a horizontal plate if the surface of the plate and hole are covered with cesium. The depth of the fluid which can be suspended is inversely proportional to the diameter of the hole. They report preliminary experiments to observe this effect, using a capacitance bridge to measure the depth. The capacitance bridge is sensitive to changes of 0.1 mm in liquid depth. The possible applications of this technique to carry out a proposed experiment to observe condensate mediated transmission of helium atoms {open_quotes}through{close_quotes} the slab will be briefly discussed.

• OSTI ID: 375055
• Report Number(s): CONF-9304297--
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 40; ISSN 0003-0503; ISSN BAPSA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
CESIUM
HELIUM 4
SUPERFLUIDITY
WETTABILITY