Fractional statistics of the vortex in two-dimensional superfluids

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.54.1339· OSTI ID:5951201

Chiao, R Y; Hansen, A; Moulthrop, A A

The quantum behavior of two identical point vortices (e.g., in a superfluid /sup 4/He thin film) is studied. It is argued that this system obeys neither Bose nor Fermi statistics, but intermediate or theta statistics: We find that a single vortex in this system possesses quarter-fractional statistics (i.e., theta = ..pi../2 or 3..pi../2). The source of the theta statistics is identified in the relative zero-point motion of the vortices.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720
• OSTI ID: 5951201
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 54:13; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640450* -- Fluid Physics-- Superfluidity
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FILMS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
HELIUM 4
HELIUM II
HELIUM ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MATHEMATICS
MECHANICS
NUCLEI
QUANTUM FLUIDS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
STABLE ISOTOPES
STATISTICS
SUPERFLUIDITY
VORTEX FLOW