Dynamics Of Quantised Vortices In Superfluids

Draws together all the basic principles of vortex dynamics in neutral superfluids in one comprehensive volume.

This book springs from the programme Quantized Vortex Dynamics and Sup- ?uid Turbulence held at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (University of Cambridge) in August 2000. What motivated the programme was the recognition that two recent developments have moved the study of qu- tized vorticity, traditionally carried out within the low-temperature physics and condensed-matter physics communities, into a new era. The ?rst development is the increasing contact with classical ?uid dynamics and its ideas and methods. For example, some current experiments with - lium II now deal with very classical issues, such as the measurement of velocity spectra and turbulence decay rates. The evidence from these experiments and many others is that super?uid turbulence and classical turbulence share many features. The challenge is now to explain these similarities and explore the time scales and length scales over which they hold true. The observed classical aspects have also attracted attention to the role played by the ?ow of the normal ?uid, which was somewhat neglected in the past because of the lack of direct ?ow visualization. Increased computing power is also making it possible to study the coupled motion of super?uid vortices and normal ?uids. Another contact with classical physics arises through the interest in the study of super?uid vortex - connections. Reconnections have been studied for some time in the contexts of classical ?uid dynamics and magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), and it is useful to learn from the experience acquired in other ?elds.

This book discusses the properties of quantized vortex lines in superfluid helium-4 in the light of research on vortices in modern fluid mechanics, and gives the first comprehensive treatment of the problem. The author's comprehensive approach will make this book invaluable for students taking advanced undergraduate or graduate courses, and for all those involved in research on classical and quantum vortices.

Presents a modern treatment of the physics of vortex matter, mainly applied to unconventional superconductors and superfluids but with extensions to other areas of physics.

This book springs from the programme Quantized Vortex Dynamics and Sup- ?uid Turbulence held at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (University of Cambridge) in August 2000. What motivated the programme was the recognition that two recent developments have moved the study of qu- tized vorticity, traditionally carried out within the low-temperature physics and condensed-matter physics communities, into a new era. The ?rst development is the increasing contact with classical ?uid dynamics and its ideas and methods. For example, some current experiments with - lium II now deal with very classical issues, such as the measurement of velocity spectra and turbulence decay rates. The evidence from these experiments and many others is that super?uid turbulence and classical turbulence share many features. The challenge is now to explain these similarities and explore the time scales and length scales over which they hold true. The observed classical aspects have also attracted attention to the role played by the ?ow of the normal ?uid, which was somewhat neglected in the past because of the lack of direct ?ow visualization. Increased computing power is also making it possible to study the coupled motion of super?uid vortices and normal ?uids. Another contact with classical physics arises through the interest in the study of super?uid vortex - connections. Reconnections have been studied for some time in the contexts of classical ?uid dynamics and magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), and it is useful to learn from the experience acquired in other ?elds.

This book draws together all the basic principles of vortex dynamics in neutral superfluids in one comprehensive volume.

Vortices comprising swirling motion of matter are observable in classical systems at all scales ranging from atomic size to the scale of galaxies. In quantum mechanical systems, such vortices are robust entities whose behaviours are governed by the strict rules of topology. The physics of quantum vortices is pivotal to basic science of quantum turbulence and high temperature superconductors, and underpins emerging quantum technologies including topological quantum computation. This handbook is aimed at providing a dictionary style portal to the fascinating quantum world of vortices.