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Local Stress and Superfluid Properties of Solid He4

L. Pollet, M. Boninsegni, A. B. Kuklov, N. V. Prokof’ev, B. V. Svistunov, and M. Troyer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 097202 – Published 25 August 2008; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 269901 (2008)
Physics logo See Viewpoint: How could a solid be superfluid?

Abstract

We provide a semiquantitative tool, derived from first-principles simulations, for answering the question of whether certain types of defects in solid He4 support mass superflow. Although ideal crystals of He4 are not supersolid, the gap for vacancy creation closes when applying a moderate stress. While a homogeneous system becomes unstable at this point, the stressed core of crystalline defects (dislocations and grain boundaries) can turn superfluid.

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  • Received 28 May 2008
  • Publisher error corrected 18 December 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.097202

©2008 American Physical Society

Corrections

18 December 2008

Erratum

Publisher’s Note: Local Stress and Superfluid Properties of Solid He4 [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 097202 (2008)]

L. Pollet, M. Boninsegni, A. B. Kuklov, N. V. Prokof’ev, B. V. Svistunov, and M. Troyer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 269901 (2008)

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How could a solid be superfluid?

Published 25 August 2008

Experiments indicate that, as in a superfluid, mass can flow through solid helium-4 without viscous resistance. Recent calculations shed light on how this may happen thanks to defects in the crystal lattice.

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Authors & Affiliations

L. Pollet1, M. Boninsegni2, A. B. Kuklov3, N. V. Prokof’ev1,4,5, B. V. Svistunov4,5, and M. Troyer1

  • 1Theoretische Physik, ETH Zürich, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2J1, Canada
  • 3Department of Engineering Science and Physics, CUNY, Staten Island, New York 10314, USA
  • 4Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
  • 5Russian Research Center “Kurchatov Institute,” 123182 Moscow, Russia

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 9 — 29 August 2008

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