Emission of Discrete Vortex Rings by a Vibrating Grid In Superfluid {sup 3}He-B: A Precursor to Quantum Turbulence

Journal Article · Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.035302· OSTI ID:20696457

Bradley, D I; Clubb, D O; Fisher, S N; Guenault, A M; Haley, R P; Matthews, C J; Pickett, G R; Tsepelin, V; Zaki, K ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YB (United Kingdom)

We report a transition in the vorticity generated by a grid moving in the B phase of superfluid {sup 3}He at T<<T{sub c}. The evolution of the vorticity after arresting the grid shows a dramatic change in the decay rate at a critical grid velocity. We believe this to reflect a sharp transition from ballistic vortex-ring production at low grid velocities to quantum turbulence at higher velocities and that independent isolated vortex rings provide the precursors to the developed turbulence. Furthermore we believe that this may be a feature of all quantum turbulence arising from repetitive mechanical agitation.

• OSTI ID: 20696457
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 95, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.035302; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EVOLUTION
GRIDS
HELIUM 3
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SUPERFLUIDITY
TURBULENCE
VELOCITY
VORTICES