Boundary conditions and critical Casimir forces in helium

R. Garcia, M. H.W. Chan

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

If a fluid near its critical point is confined between two interfaces, the long-ranged critical fluctuations in the order parameter will mediate a force. This force, known as the critical Casimir force, is a direct analog of the Casimir force in electromagnetism. Dielectric constant measurements of helium films adsorbed on Cu electrodes provide evidence for the existence of the critical Casimir force near the superfluid transition in 4He and near the tricritical point in 3He-4He mixtures. In pure 4He, we find the force is attractive but near the tricritical point the force appears repulsive, a change due to the extraordinary boundary conditions at the tricritical point.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)238-241
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica B: Condensed Matter
Volume329-333
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2003
EventProceedings of the 23rd international conference on low temper - Hiroshima, Japan
Duration: Aug 20 2002Aug 27 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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