Abstract
This paper reports the discovery of a new vortex phenomenon in superfluid B3. A single filament of quantized vortex line precesses as a solid body around a wire extending along the axis of a cylinder. The precession frequency equals the angular velocity of the apparatus at which the presence of a single quantum of circulation minimizes the systems free energy. The period of precession is related to the circulation quantum and the dimensions of the apparatus. Thus a measurement of the precession period is an accurate determination of the quantum unit. We find =(1.0200.03)h/2m3, where m3 is the mass of the He3 atom.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1327-1330 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 68 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1992 |