Macroscopic quantum tunneling of vortices in He II

P. C. Hendry, N. S. Lawson, P. V. E. McClintock, C. D. H. Williams, and R. M. Bowley
Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 604 – Published 15 February 1988
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

Experimental evidence is presented showing that the creation of vortices in He II involves macroscopic quantum tunneling through, or thermal activation over, a potential-energy barrier ε. The investigations, based on measurements of the rate at which negative ions create vortex rings in the isotopically pure superfluid within the temperature range 50<T<500 mK, have yielded a barrier height of ε/kB=3.1±0.1 K, in excellent agreement with the theoretical value predicted by Muirhead, Vinen, and Donnelly.

  • Received 26 October 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.60.604

©1988 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

P. C. Hendry, N. S. Lawson, P. V. E. McClintock, and C. D. H. Williams

  • Department of Physics, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YB, United Kingdom

R. M. Bowley

  • Department of Physics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD United Kingdom

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 60, Iss. 7 — 15 February 1988

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×