Physics World Weekly Podcast
Superfluid helium: the quantum curiosity behind huge experiments like the LHC
Mar 28, 2024
Physicist specializing in superfluid helium II discusses its unique quantum properties, applications in big physics experiments like the LHC. Topics include two fluid model, superfluid fountain, Shoot experiment transferring helium in space, Iris telescope project, cooling superconducting magnets, RF cavities using helium, challenges related to helium scarcity, and advancements in cryogenics.
35:59
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Quick takeaways
- Superfluid helium II displays remarkable characteristics like zero viscosity and quantized vortices, essential for advanced scientific instruments.
- The two fluid model simplifies the understanding of superfluid helium behavior and aids in analyzing transport phenomena.
Deep dives
Superfluid Helium and Its Unique Properties
Superfluid helium, also known as helium 2, exhibits exceptional characteristics set apart from standard fluids when cooled below 2.2 Kelvin. Unlike helium 1, it demonstrates abilities like flowing through tiny holes without any pressure drop and showcasing zero viscosity, termed as superfluidity. This quantum fluid provides efficient heat transfer mechanisms, hosts quantized vortices explaining phenomena such as rotation and turbulence, and finds crucial applications in cooling superconducting magnets, RF cavities, and infrared astronomy, serving as a fundamental component in cutting-edge scientific instruments.
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