Finally solved! The great mystery of quantized vortex motion

Newswise — Liquid helium-4, present in a superfluid form near absolute zero (-273°C), possesses a unique vortex known as a quantized vortex, stemming from quantum mechanical influences. At elevated temperatures, both the normal fluid and superfluid helium coexist, and the motion of the quantized vortex triggers mutual friction between itself and the normal fluid. Nevertheless, comprehensively elucidating the interaction between a moving quantized vortex and the normal fluid proves challenging. Despite numerous theoretical models put forth, the true accuracy of any specific model remains uncertain.

The collaboration between Professor Makoto Tsubota, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Satoshi Yui, their fellow researchers from Florida State University and Keio University, focused on a numerical exploration of the interplay between a quantized vortex and a normal-fluid. Through extensive experimentation, the scientists identified the most coherent theoretical model among several alternatives. Their findings indicated that a model encompassing alterations in the normal-fluid and integrating theoretically precise mutual friction aligns most harmoniously with the experimental outcomes.

"The enigmatic interaction between a quantized vortex and a normal-fluid, which has intrigued me throughout my four-decade-long research journey in this domain, has finally started unraveling," Professor Tsubota remarked. He further emphasized the significant role played by computational advancements in tackling this complex issue, while acknowledging the groundbreaking visualization experiment conducted by their counterparts at Florida State University as a pivotal breakthrough. Professor Tsubota highlighted that scientific progress frequently relies on technological advancements, and this study serves as a compelling example of such synergy.

Their findings were published in Nature Communications.