May 7, 2024

Decoding the Dance of Vortex Rings in Superfluid Helium

Professor Guo revealed, “Our findings fix long-standing questions and enhance our understanding of vortex dynamics within the superfluid.”
Yuan Tang, a postdoctoral scientist at the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Credit: Florida State University
Quantized Vortices in Superfluids
A distinctive attribute of superfluids is the presence of quantized vortices. They play a pivotal function in a variety of phenomena, varying from turbulence in superfluid helium to irregularities in the rotation of neutron stars.
In an effort to tackle this, the research team used strengthened deuterium tracer particles that became trapped within the vortex rings. By lighting up these particles with a sheet-shaped imaging laser, the team handled to record exact images and quantify the particles movement.
Recognition of the S2W Model
The group also performed a series of simulations using a range of theoretical designs. The outcomes suggested that just the recently recommended self-consistent two-way design, referred to as the S2W model, accurately reproduces the observed motion of the vortex rings. According to the S2W model, the ring needs to diminish as it engages with the thermal environment, albeit at a slower rate than anticipated by earlier theories.
Postdoctoral researcher Yuan Tang at the Florida State University-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory stated, “That was exactly what we saw. This research study provides the first experimental proof supporting the S2W model.”
Wei Guo, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Credit: Florida State University
Implications and Future Directions
The implications of this advancement reach far beyond simply superfluid helium. The verified S2W design uses promising potential customers for usage in other quantum-fluid systems, such as atomic Bose-Einstein condensates and superfluid neutron stars.
Guo conveyed his enjoyment, “We are excited about the possibilities that the S2W model provides for future studies. Now that we have actually verified its validity for superfluid helium, we aim to apply this model to other quantum-fluid systems and check out new clinical difficulties.”
For more on this research study, see The Great Mystery of Quantized Vortex Motion.
Referral: “Imaging quantized vortex rings in superfluid helium to examine quantum dissipation” by Yuan Tang, Wei Guo, Hiromichi Kobayashi, Satoshi Yui, Makoto Tsubota and Toshiaki Kanai, 23 May 2023, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-023-38787-w.
The research collaboration consisted of co-authors Hiromichi Kobayashi from Keio University, Makoto Tsubota and Satoshi Yui from Osaka Metropolitan University and FSU college student Toshiaki Kanai.
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

An unique attribute of superfluids is the presence of quantized vortices. They play a critical function in a variety of phenomena, varying from turbulence in superfluid helium to abnormalities in the rotation of neutron stars. The results showed that just the just recently recommended self-consistent two-way model, known as the S2W design, precisely recreates the observed movement of the vortex rings.

A simulated vortex ring structure in superfluid helium. Credit: Courtesy of Wei Guo
Scientists have actually accomplished a development in the research study of superfluids. Their research study supports the newly proposed S2W model of vortex movement in superfluid helium, opening up potential applications in other quantum-fluid systems.
The Enigma of Superfluids
Superfluids provide a fascinating topic in the arena of modern physics research. Governed by the principles of quantum mechanics and celebrated for their frictionless flow, these remarkable compounds have actually spurred curiosity amongst scientists due to their strange homes and wide-ranging potential applications.
Groundbreaking Study on Superfluids
In a landmark study, scientists from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering led by Professor Wei Guo, have actually made considerable strides in exploring the motion of vortices within these quantum fluids. Their research study into the movement of vortex rings in superfluid helium has actually been published in Nature Communications. Significantly, it provides compelling evidence that backs a recently proposed theoretical design of quantized vortices.

Their research study into the motion of vortex rings in superfluid helium has been published in Nature Communications. Importantly, it uses compelling evidence that backs a recently proposed theoretical model of quantized vortices.