Chapter II Application of Quantum Mechanics to Liquid Helium

Author(s):  
R.P. Feynman

This paper fulfils the programme announced in part IV of the series by examining the detailed application of the general quantum theory of fluids to liquid He II. It is shown that although the classical laws of hydrodynamics and thermodynamics are formally obeyed by the quantum liquid, important divergences arise in the manner of their interpretation. Without introducing any assumption other than the validity of the general laws of quantum mechanics, it is possible to explain qualitatively and quantitatively the well-known properties of liquid helium, including the thermodynamic discontinuity, the thermomechanical effect, the transfer effect, and the presence of thermal waves in the liquid. The connexion with earlier theories is traced, and it is shown that although they are in agreement with the theory here proposed in certain respects, their fundamental concepts are in need of considerable revision. The theory can be applied with slight changes to the phenomenon of superconductivity.


Author(s):  
Otávio Bueno ◽  
Steven French

This chapter extends the case study on quantum mechanics to include not only the ‘top-down’ application of group theory to quantum physics but also the ‘bottom-up’ construction of models of the phenomena, with the example of London’s explanation of the superfluid behaviour of liquid helium in terms of Bose–Einstein statistics. We claim that in moving from top to bottom, from the mathematics to what is observed in the laboratory, the models involved and the relations between them can again be accommodated by the partial structures approach, coupled with an appreciation of the heuristic moves involved in scientific work. Furthermore, as in the previous examples, this case fits with our inferential account of the application of mathematics, whereby immersion of the phenomena into the relevant mathematics allows for the drawing down of structure and the derivation of certain results that can then be interpreted at the phenomenological level.


Author(s):  
R. E. Worsham ◽  
J. E. Mann ◽  
E. G. Richardson

This superconducting microscope, Figure 1, was first operated in May, 1970. The column, which started life as a Siemens Elmiskop I, was modified by removing the objective and intermediate lenses, the specimen chamber, and the complete vacuum system. The large cryostat contains the objective lens and stage. They are attached to the bottom of the 7-liter helium vessel and are surrounded by two vapor-cooled radiation shields.In the initial operational period 5-mm and 2-mm focal length objective lens pole pieces were used giving magnification up to 45000X. Without a stigmator and precision ground pole pieces, a resolution of about 50-100Å was achieved. The boil-off rate of the liquid helium was reduced to 0.2-0.3ℓ/hour after elimination of thermal oscillations in the cryostat. The calculated boil-off was 0.2ℓ/hour. No effect caused by mechanical or electrical instability was found. Both 4.2°K and 1.7-1.9°K operation were routine. Flux pump excitation and control of the lens were quite smooth, simple, and, apparently highly stable. Alignment of the objective lens proved quite awkward, however, with the long-thin epoxy glass posts used for supporting the lens.


Author(s):  
M.K. Lamvik ◽  
D.A. Kopf ◽  
S.D. Davilla ◽  
J.D. Robertson

Last year we reported1 that there is a striking reduction in the rate of mass loss when a specimen is observed at liquid helium temperature. It is important to determine whether liquid helium temperature is significantly better than liquid nitrogen temperature. This requires a good understanding of mass loss effects in cold stages around 100K.


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