Quantum Turbulence

Discover quantum turbulence, the challenging new area of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of turbulence and superfluidity.

This book provides state-of-the-art results and theories in homogeneous turbulence, including anisotropy and compressibility effects with extension to quantum turbulence, magneto-hydodynamic turbulence and turbulence in non-newtonian fluids. Each chapter is devoted to a given type of interaction (strain, rotation, shear, etc.), and presents and compares experimental data, numerical results, analysis of the Reynolds stress budget equations and advanced multipoint spectral theories. The role of both linear and non-linear mechanisms is emphasized. The link between the statistical properties and the dynamics of coherent structures is also addressed. Despite its restriction to homogeneous turbulence, the book is of interest to all people working in turbulence, since the basic physical mechanisms which are present in all turbulent flows are explained. The reader will find a unified presentation of the results and a clear presentation of existing controversies. Special attention is given to bridge the results obtained in different research communities. Mathematical tools and advanced physical models are detailed in dedicated chapters.

Progress in Low Temperature Physics: Quantum Turbulence presents seven review articles on the recent developments on quantum turbulence. Turbulence has been a great mystery in natural science and technology for more than 500 years since the time of Leonardo da Vinci. Recently turbulence in quantum systems at low temperatures has developed into a new research field. Quantum turbulence is comprised of quantized vortices, realized in superfluid helium and quantum gases of cold atoms. Some of the important topics include energy spectra, vibrating structures, and visualization techniques. The understanding of these remarkable systems can have an impact on the general field of turbulence and will be of broad interest to scientists and students in low temperature physics, hydrodynamics and engineering. Key subjects covered: Energy spectra in quantum turbulence, Turbulent dynamics in rotating helium superfluids: a comparison of 3He-B and 4He-II, Quantum turbulence in superfluid 3He at very low temperatures, The use of vibrating structures in the study of quantum turbulence, Visualization of quantum turbulence, Capillary turbulence on the surface of quantum fluids, Quantized vortices in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates Crucial information for all experimenters in low temperature physics

Advancing the experimental study of superfluids relies on increasingly sophisticated techniques. We develop and demonstrate the loading of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) into nearly arbitrary trapping potentials, with a resolution improved by a factor of seven when compared to reported systems. These advanced control techniques have since been adopted by several cold atoms labs around the world. How this BEC system was used to study 2D superfluid dynamics is described. In particular, negative temperature vortex states in a two-dimensional quantum fluid were observed. These states were first predicted by Lars Onsager 70 years ago and have significance to 2D turbulence in quantum and classical fluids, long-range interacting systems, and defect dynamics in high-energy physics. These experiments have established dilute-gas BECs as the prototypical system for the experimental study of point vortices and their nonequilibrium dynamics. We also developed a new approach to superfluid circuitry based on classical acoustic circuits, demonstrating its conceptual and quantitative superiority over previous lumped-element models. This has established foundational principles of superfluid circuitry that will impact the design of future transport experiments and new generation quantum devices, such as atomtronics circuits and superfluid sensors.

Leading experts summarize our current understanding of the fundamental nature of turbulence, covering a wide range of topics.

Covering general theoretical concepts and the research to date, this book demonstrates that Bose-Einstein condensation is a truly universal phenomenon.

It is well established and appreciated by now that more than 99% of the baryonic matter in the universe is in the plasma state. Most astrophysical systems could be approximated as conducting fluids in a gravitational field. It is the combined effect of these two that gives rise to the mind boggling variety of configurations in the form of filaments, loops, jets and arches. The plasma structures that cannot last for more than a second or less in a laboratory remain intact for astronomical time and spatial scales in an astrophysical setting. The case in point is the well known extragalactic jets whose collimation and stability has remained an enigma inspite of the efforts of many for many long years. The high energy radiation sources such as the active galactic nuclei again summon the coherent plasma radiation processes for their exceptionally large output from regions of relatively small physical sizes. The generation of magnetic field, anomalous transport of angular momentum with decisive bearing on star formation processes, the ubiquitous MHD turbulence under conditions irreproducible in terrestrial laboratories are some of the generic issues still awaiting a concerted effort for their understanding. Quantum Plasmas, pair plasmas and pair-ion plasmas exist under extreme conditions in planetary interiors and exotic stars. In this workshop plasma physicists, astrophysicists and plasma astrophysicists are brought together to discuss these issues.

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.