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Quantum cavitation in superfluid helium 4 ?

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Abstract

We have observed the nucleation of bubbles in superfluid helium-4 at negative pressure and at temperatures down to 65 mK. Cavitation is found to be a random process. Above 1 K, its probability varies with temperature in a manner consistent with classical activation by thermal fluctuations. Below 0.4 K, Cavitation is still random but temperature independent, in agreement with a recent theory of quantum tunneling. We also consider another possible interpretation involving turbulence in the focal region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physique Statistique de l'E.N.S., associé au CNRS et aux Universités Paris 6 et 7, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France

    S. Balibar, C. Guthmann, H. Lambare, P. Roche, E. Rolley & H. J. Maris

  2. Department of Physics, Brown University, 02912, Providence, RI, USA

    H. J. Maris

Authors
  1. S. Balibar
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  2. C. Guthmann
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  3. H. Lambare
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  4. P. Roche
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  5. E. Rolley
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  6. H. J. Maris
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Balibar, S., Guthmann, C., Lambare, H. et al. Quantum cavitation in superfluid helium 4 ?. J Low Temp Phys 101, 271–277 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754588

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754588

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