arXiv · cond-mat/0412137
Density pattern in supercritical flow of liquid He-4
Abstract
A density functional theory is used to investigate the instability arising in superfluid $^4$He as it flows at velocity u just above the Landau critical velocity of rotons v_c. Confirming an early theoretical prediction by one of us [JETP Lett. 39, 511 (1984)], we find that a stationary periodic modulation of the density occurs, with amplitude proportional to (u-v_c)^{1/2} and wave vector equal to the roton wave vector. This density pattern is studied for supercritical flow both in bulk helium and in a channel of nanometer cross-section.
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F. Ancilotto, F. Dalfovo, L. P. Pitaevskii, F. Toigo. 2004-12-06. Density pattern in supercritical flow of liquid He-4. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.71.104530
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