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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2514-2517 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 77 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |