Generating Quantum Turbulence with Magnetically-Driven Bellows

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been a resurgence in studies of turbulence in superfluid helium both theoretically and experimentally which has led to new methods of generation as well as new techniques for measurement and visualisation. Below 1K the normal component within He II becomes small and below 0.5K the effect of elementary excitations on vortex dynamics is negligible, meaning studies at these low temperatures focus on tangles of largely undamped vortex lines and can provide insight into the nature of many phenomena including both the Kolmogorov and Kelvin wave cascade spectra, and the bridge between them. This report presents a new, versatile method for generating turbulence that utilises magnetically-driven bellows to force superfluid through a grid. The cell has been built and modelling has been used to optimise its performance. The first test run was promising, though induction heating from ramping up current in the coils needs to be minimised.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Andrei Golov (Supervisor) & Paul Walmsley (Supervisor)