When liquid helium is cooled to an extremely low temperature, the liquid enters a superfluid state in which it flows without viscosity. This superfluid state is an example of a quantum phenomena appearing on the macroscopic level. This course will give an overview of the physics of superfluids, and go over how it can be understood and described as a quantum many-body problem.
Specifically, students will learn about the properties of the superfluid state, Bose-Einstein condensate, quantized vortex/ elemental excitation, the two-fluid model/sound waves, two-dimensional superfluids, Fermi superfluidity/anisotropic superfluidity, etc.
By completing this course, students will be able to:
1) Study how the superfluidity, which is a macroscopic quantum phenomenon seen at low temperatures, can be explained in terms of a physics of quantum many-body problem.
2) Understand that liquid helium shows the superfluidity at very low temperatures, in which the helium behaves a fluid with zero viscosity.
3) Understand and explain how the physics of the superfluidity is described as a quantum effect on a macroscopic scale.
Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity, phase diagram, quantized vortex, elementary excitation, sound waves, two-fluid model
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of each class. Students are given exercise problems related to the lecture to better understand the contents. The midterm exam (45 min) is scheduled during the regular lecture period.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Phase diagram of helium | Explain the phase diagram of helium 3 and helium 4. |
Class 2 | Basic properties of superfluidity | Explain basic properties of superfluidity. |
Class 3 | Bose-Einstein condensation | Explain Bose-Einstein condensation. |
Class 4 | Quantized vortex and elementary excitation | Explain the relation between elementary excitations and superfluidity. |
Class 5 | Two-fluid model and sound waves | Explain the various sound waves in helium 4. |
Class 6 | Two dimensional superfluidity | Describe the characteristic of two dimensional superfluidity. |
Class 7 | Fermionic and anisotropic superfluidity | Explain the fermionic superfluidity. |
Class 8 | Other topics related to superfluidity | Describe the other topics related to superfluidity you are interested in. |
To be specified by the instructor.
To be specified by the instructor. Handouts will be distributed.
Based on exams and reports.
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.
This lecture will be given partially in English in 2018. Personal backup lectures can be given to IGP students.