Hydrodynamic boundary condition for superfluid flow

Yves Pomeau and David C. Roberts
Phys. Rev. B 77, 144508 – Published 4 April 2008

Abstract

We discuss the hydrodynamic boundary condition for a superfluid moving tangentially to a rough surface. Specifically, we argue that the scattering of quantum fluctuations off surface roughness affects the nature of the boundary condition, and that this has important consequences including a theorized critical speed and the presence of normal fluid at any nonzero speed, even if the boundary is held at zero temperature (i.e., a moving superfluid flow creates a sustained temperature difference between the superfluid and the boundary). This hydrodynamic boundary condition is relevant not only for superfluid helium experiments but also for experiments with trapped dilute Bose–Einstein condensates, in particular, those involving atomic waveguides near surfaces.

  • Received 7 December 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.144508

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Yves Pomeau1,2,3 and David C. Roberts3

  • 1Laboratoire de Physique statistique de l’Ecole normale supérieure, 75005 Paris, France
  • 2Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
  • 3Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA

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Issue

Vol. 77, Iss. 14 — 1 April 2008

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