Quantum Fluids Research Articles

Direct visualization of the quantum vortex lattice structure, oscillations, and destabilization in rotating 4He.

Quantum vortices are a core element of superfluid dynamics and elusively hold the keys to our understanding of energy dissipation in these systems. We show that we are able to visualize these vortices in the canonical and higher-symmetry case of a stationary rotating superfluid bucket. Using direct visualization, we quantitatively verify Feynman's rule linking the resulting quantum vortex density to the imposed rotational speed. We make the most of this stable configuration by applying an alternative heat flux aligned with the axis of rotation. Moderate amplitudes led to the observation of collective wave mode propagating along the vortices, and high amplitudes led to quantum vortex interactions. When increasing the heat flux, this ensemble of regimes defines a path toward quantum turbulence in rotating 4He and sets a baseline to consolidate the descriptions of all quantum fluids.

Dynamic properties and the roton mode attenuation in liquid 3He: ab initio study within the self-consistent method of moments.

The dynamic structure factor and the eigenmodes of density fluctuations in liquid 3He are studied using a novel non-perturbative approach. This new version of the self-consistent method of moments invokes up to nine sum rules and other exact relations, the two-parameter Shannon information entropy maximization procedure, and the ab initio path integral Monte Carlo simulations which provide necessary reliable input information on the system static properties. Detailed analysis is performed of the collective excitations dispersion relations, the modes' decrements and the static structure factor of 3He at the saturated vapour pressure. The results are compared to available experimental data by Albergamo et al. (Albergamo et al. 2007 Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 205301. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.205301)) and Fåk et al. (Fåk et al. 1994 J. Low Temp. Phys. 97, 445-487. (doi:10.1007/BF00754303)). The theory reveals a clear signature of the roton-like feature in the particle-hole segment of the excitation spectrum with a significant reduction of the roton decrement in the wavenumber range [Formula: see text]. The observed roton mode remains a well-defined collective mode even in the particle-hole band, where it is strongly damped. The existence of the roton-like mode in the bulk liquid 3He is confirmed like in other quantum fluids. The phonon branch of the spectrum is in a reasonable agreement with the same experimental data. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dynamic and transient processes in warm dense matter'.

Reverse Freeze: Quantum fluid freezes when heated.

Reverse Freeze: Quantum fluid freezes when heated.

Interaction-driven transport of dark excitons in 2D semiconductors with phonon-mediated optical readout

The growing field of quantum information technology requires propagation of information over long distances with efficient readout mechanisms. Excitonic quantum fluids have emerged as a powerful platform for this task due to their straightforward electro-optical conversion. In two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, the coupling between spin and valley provides exciting opportunities for harnessing, manipulating, and storing bits of information. However, the large inhomogeneity of single layers cannot be overcome by the properties of bright excitons, hindering spin-valley transport. Nonetheless, the rich band structure supports dark excitonic states with strong binding energy and longer lifetime, ideally suited for long-range transport. Here we show that dark excitons can diffuse over several micrometers and prove that this repulsion-driven propagation is robust across non-uniform samples. The long-range propagation of dark states with an optical readout mediated by chiral phonons provides a new concept of excitonic devices for applications in both classical and quantum information technology.

On Well-Posedness of Quantum Fluid Systems in the Class of Dissipative Solutions

The main objects of the present work are the quantum Navier–Stokes and quantum Euler systems; for the first one, in particular, we will consider constant viscosity coefficients. We deal with the concept of dissipative solutions, for which we will first prove the weak-strong uniqueness principle, and afterward, we will show the global existence for any finite energy initial data. Finally, we will prove that both systems admit a semiflow selection in the class of dissipative solutions.

Stokes drift and impurity transport in a quantum fluid

Stokes drift is a classical fluid effect in which traveling waves transfer momentum to tracers of the fluid, resulting in a nonzero drift velocity in the direction of the incoming wave; this effect is the driving mechanism allowing particles, i.e., impurities, to be transported by the flow. In a classical (viscous) fluid this happens usually due to the presence of viscous drag forces; because of the eventual absence of viscosity in quantum fluids, impurities are driven by inertial effects and pressure gradients only. We present theoretical predictions of a Stokes drift analogous in quantum fluids finding that, at the leading order, the drift direction and amplitude depend on the initial impurity position with respect to the wave phase, and at the second order, our theoretical model recovers the classical Stokes drift but with a coefficient that depends on the relative particle-fluid density ratio. Our theoretical predictions are obtained for classical impurities using multitime analytical asymptotic expansions. Numerical simulations of a two-dimensional Gross-Pitaevskii equation coupled with a classical impurity corroborate our findings. Our findings are experimentally testable, for instance, using fluids of light obtained in photorefractive crystals.Received 15 December 2022Revised 19 April 2023Accepted 17 May 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.107.L061303Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasFluid-particle interactionsPhysical SystemsQuantum fluids & solidsSuperfluidsUltracold gasesTechniquesPerturbative methodsNonlinear DynamicsFluid DynamicsAtomic, Molecular & Optical

Collective excitations of a bound-in-the-continuum condensate

Spectra of low-lying elementary excitations are critical to characterize properties of bosonic quantum fluids. Usually these spectra are difficult to observe, due to low occupation of non-condensate states compared to the ground state. Recently, low-threshold Bose-Einstein condensation was realised in a symmetry-protected bound state in the continuum, at a saddle point, thanks to coupling of this electromagnetic resonance to semiconductor excitons. While it has opened the door to long-living polariton condensates, their intrinsic collective properties are still unexplored. Here we unveil the peculiar features of the Bogoliubov spectrum of excitations in this system. Thanks to the dark nature of the bound-in-the-continuum state, collective excitations lying directly above the condensate become observable in enhanced detail. We reveal interesting aspects, such as energy-flat parts of the dispersion characterized by two parallel stripes in photoluminescence pattern, pronounced linearization at non-zero momenta in one of the directions, and a strongly anisotropic velocity of sound.

A path integral approach to quantum fluid dynamics: application to double well potential

A path integral approach to quantum fluid dynamics: application to double well potential

Topological gauge fields and the composite particle duality

We unveil a duality that extends the notions of both flux attachment and statistical transmutation in spacetime dimensions beyond ($2+1$)D. Thus, a quantum system in arbitrary dimensions can experience a modification of its statistical properties if coupled to a certain gauge field. For instance, a bosonic quantum fluid can feature composite fermionic (or anyonic) excitations when coupled to a statistical gauge field. We compute the explicit form of the aforementioned synthetic gauge fields in $\text{D}\ensuremath{\le}3+1$. We introduce a bosonic liquid and its composite dual in ($1+1$)D as proof of principle. We recover well-known results, resolve old controversies, and suggest a microscopic mechanism for the emergence of such a gauge field. We also outline potential directions for experimental realizations in ultracold atom platforms.

Isobaric heat capacity of classical and quantum fluids: extending experimental data sets into the critical scaling regime

Isobaric heat capacity of classical and quantum fluids: extending experimental data sets into the critical scaling regime

Imaging quantized vortex rings in superfluid helium to evaluate quantum dissipation

The motion of quantized vortices is responsible for many intriguing phenomena in diverse quantum-fluid systems. Having a theoretical model to reliably predict the vortex motion therefore promises a broad significance. But a grand challenge in developing such a model is to evaluate the dissipative force caused by thermal quasiparticles in the quantum fluids scattering off the vortex cores. Various models have been proposed, but it remains unclear which model describes reality due to the lack of comparative experimental data. Here we report a visualization study of quantized vortex rings propagating in superfluid helium. By examining how the vortex rings spontaneously decay, we provide decisive data to identify the model that best reproduces observations. This study helps to eliminate ambiguities about the dissipative force acting on vortices, which could have implications for research in various quantum-fluid systems that also involve similar forces, such as superfluid neutron stars and gravity-mapped holographic superfluids.

Making ghost vortices visible in two-component Bose-Einstein condensates

Ghost vortices constitute an elusive class of topological excitations in quantum fluids since the relevant phase singularities fall within regions where the superfluid density is almost zero. Here we present a platform that allows for the controlled generation and observation of such vortices. Upon rotating an imbalanced mixture of two-component Bose-Einstein condensates, one can obtain necklaces of real vortices in the majority component whose cores get filled by particles from the minority one. The wave function describing the state of the latter is shown to harbor a number of ghost vortices which are crucial to support the overall dynamics of the mixture. Their arrangement typically mirrors that of their real counterpart, hence resulting in a ``dual'' ghost-vortex necklace, whose properties are thoroughly investigated in the present paper. We also present a viable experimental protocol for the direct observation of ghost vortices in a $^{23}\mathrm{Na}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}+\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}^{39}\mathrm{K}$ ultracold mixture. Quenching the intercomponent scattering length, some atoms are expelled from the vortex cores and, while diffusing, swirl around unpopulated phase singularities, thus turning them directly observable.

Types of quantum turbulence

We collect and describe the observed geometrical and dynamical properties of turbulence in quantum fluids, particularly superfluid helium and atomic condensates for which more information about turbulence is available. Considering the spectral features, the temporal decay, and the comparison with relevant turbulent classical flows, we identify three main limiting types of quantum turbulence: Kolmogorov quantum turbulence, Vinen quantum turbulence, and strong quantum turbulence. This classification will be useful to analyze and interpret new results in these and other quantum fluids.

Spectrum of collective excitations of a quantum fluid of polaritons

We use a recently developed high-resolution coherent probe spectroscopy method to investigate the dispersion of collective excitations of a polaritonic quantum fluid. We measure the dispersion relation with high energy and wavenumber resolution, which allows us to determine the speed of sound in the fluid and to evidence the contribution of an excitonic reservoir. We report on the generation of collective excitations at negative energies, on the ghost branch of the dispersion curve. Precursors of dynamical instabilities are also identified. Our methods open the way to the precise study of quantum hydrodynamics of quantum fluids of light.

Quantum Fluids of Light Come into Sharper View

Quantum Fluids of Light Come into Sharper View

Coupling Navier-Stokes and Gross-Pitaevskii equations for the numerical simulation of two-fluid quantum flows

Numerical methods for solving the Navier-Stokes equations for classical (or normal) viscous fluids are well established. This is also the case for the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, governing quantum inviscid flows (or superfluids) in the zero temperature limit. In quantum flows, like liquid helium II at intermediate temperatures between zero and 2.17 K, a normal fluid and a superfluid coexist with independent velocity fields. The most advanced existing models for such systems use the Navier-Stokes equations for the normal fluid and a simplified description of the superfluid, based on the dynamics of quantized vortex filaments, with ad hoc reconnection rules. There was a single attempt (C. Coste, 1998 [22]) to couple Navier-Stokes and Gross-Pitaevskii equations in a global model intended to describe the compressible two-fluid liquid helium II. We present in this contribution a new numerical model to couple a Navier-Stokes incompressible fluid with a Gross-Pitaevskii superfluid. Coupling terms in the global system of equations involve new definitions of the following concepts: the regularized superfluid vorticity and velocity fields, the friction force exerted by quantized vortices to the normal fluid, the covariant gradient operator in the Gross-Pitaevskii model based on a slip velocity respecting the dynamics of vortex lines in the normal fluid. A numerical algorithm based on pseudo-spectral Fourier methods is presented for solving the coupled system of equations. Finally, we numerically test and validate the new numerical system against well-known benchmarks for the evolution in a normal fluid of different types or arrangements of quantized vortices (vortex crystal, vortex dipole and vortex rings). The new coupling model has the advantage to keep the full Gross-Pitaevskii model for the superfluid, and thus describe quantized vortex dynamics without any phenomenological approximation. This opens new possibilities to revisit and enrich existing numerical results for complex quantum fluids, such as quantum turbulent flows.

Flow of the normal component of He-II about bluff objects observed with He2* excimers

Flow of the normal fluid component of He II about a cylinder and flat plate in a channel with a square cross-section was observed by tracking clouds of ${\text{He}}_{2}^{*}$ excimers. Flow was produced using a lithographically patterned heater. The direction and speed of flow projected onto a plane parallel to the axis of the channel and perpendicular to the heater exhibited significant change with time even after the heater was turned off. Flow was recorded in movies. Excimers moved at least as fast as could be recorded by the camera. Velocity vector field maps of flow suggest formation of structures downstream of the cylinder object that are consistent with parts of eddies. In this paper, we establish a foundation to observe normal component flow of a quantum fluid over centimeters.

Acoustic emission in bulk normal and superfluid 3He

We present measurements of the damping experienced by custom-made quartz tuning forks submerged in 3He covering frequencies from 20 to 600 kHz. Measurements were conducted in the bulk of normal liquid 3He at temperatures from 1.5 K down to 12 mK and in superfluid 3He-B well below the critical temperature. The presented results complement earlier work on tuning fork damping in 3He, removing possible ambiguities associated with acoustic emission within partially enclosed volumes and extend the probed range of frequencies, leading to a clearly established frequency dependence of the acoustic losses. Our results validate existing models of damping and point toward the same mechanism of wave emission of first sound in normal 3He and liquid 4He and zero sound in superfluid 3He. We observe a steep frequency dependence of the damping ≈f5.5, which starts to dominate around 100 kHz and restricts the use of tuning forks as efficient sensors in quantum fluids. The acoustic emission model can predict the limiting frequencies for various devices, including micro-electromechanical and nano-electromechanical structures developed for quantum turbulence and single vortex dynamics research.

Heating a dipolar quantum fluid into a solid

Raising the temperature of a material enhances the thermal motion of particles. Such an increase in thermal energy commonly leads to the melting of a solid into a fluid and eventually vaporises the liquid into a gaseous phase of matter. Here, we study the finite-temperature physics of dipolar quantum fluids and find surprising deviations from this general phenomenology. In particular, we describe how heating a dipolar superfluid from near-zero temperatures can induce a phase transition to a supersolid state with a broken translational symmetry. We discuss the observation of this effect in experiments on ultracold dysprosium atoms, which opens the door for exploring the unusual thermodynamics of dipolar quantum fluids.

A low-frequency, high-amplitude, torsional oscillator for studies of quantum fluids and solids

We introduce a low-frequency torsional oscillator suitable for studies of quantum fluids and solids. It operates at frequencies of ∼100 Hz, achieves velocities of several cm s−1, and exhibits a quality factor of Q≃3×104. In order to reach such velocities at this relatively low frequency, the oscillator amplitude must exceed 100 μm, which would be impracticable for a conventional capacitor-driven device where the drive is applied parallel to the main motion and there are correspondingly large changes in the separation of the capacitor plates. For the different geometry of the oscillator that we now describe, however, the separations of both the drive and detect capacitor plates remain constant regardless of the amplitude of oscillation. We discuss its design and report our initial tests of its performance.