Phase Slips and Josephson Weak Links in Superfluid Helium

Abstract

When superfluid 4He flows through a submicron aperture, the velocity is limited by a critical value which marks the onset of quantized vortex creation. The evolution of the vortices causes the quantum phase across the aperture to change by 2π, leading to a detectable drop in flow energy. Recent studies of these phase slip events have provided new insights into the nucleation mechanisms for quantum vortices. By contrast, superfluid 3He passing through a submicron aperture exhibits nonlinear hydrodynamics, characterized by a Josephson-like current phase relation. Recent experiments have revealed a multitude of effects analogous to phenomena observed in superconductors. The experiments also reveal unexpected effects such as bistability, π-states, and novel dissipation mechanisms.