Quantum Nucleation of Phase Slips in a 1D Model of a Superfluid

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.79.5054· OSTI ID:554413

Freire, J A; Arovas, D P; Levine, H ^[1]

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1. Physics Department, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States)

We use a 1D model of a superfluid based on the Gross-Pitaevskii Lagrangian to illustrate a general numerical method designed to find quantum tunneling rates in extended bosonic systems. Specifically, we study flow past an obstacle and directly solve the imaginary time dynamics to find the {open_quotes}bounce{close_quotes} solution connected with the decay of the metastable laminar state via phase slip nucleation. The action for the tunneling configuration goes to zero at the threshold (in superfluid velocity) for classical production of these slips. Applications to other processes are briefly discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 554413
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 25 Vol. 79; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
LAGRANGE EQUATIONS
METASTABLE STATES
NUCLEATION
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHASE STUDIES
SUPERFLUIDITY
TUNNEL EFFECT