Evidence of 4He Crystallization via Quantum Tunneling at mK Temperatures

J. P. Ruutu, P. J. Hakonen, J. S. Penttilä, A. V. Babkin, J. P. Saramäki, E. B. Sonin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

We have investigated creation of 4He crystals from the superfluid phase at the temperature range 2 mK–1.0 K. Statistical nucleation-event distributions in overpressure were found to be broad, asymmetric, and temperature independent below 100 mK. Our statistical analysis agrees with a theoretical model suggesting that solid formation is driven by macroscopical quantum-mechanical fluctuations from a seed preexisting in a cavity on the wall.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2514-2517
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume77
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

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