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Absence of pressure-driven supersolid flow at low frequency

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

A.S.C. Rittner
W. Choi
E.J. Mueller
J.D. Reppy

Abstract

We apply a low-frequency (mHz) ac pressure gradient to a sample of solid helium in order to search for a superfluidlike response. Our results are consistent with zero supersolid flow. Through a statistical analysis of our data, we set a bound on the rate of mass flow between two chambers, and hence the mass current density j. At the 68% confidence level, we bound v≡j/Ï≤9.6× 10-4 nm/s for the mass transport velocity. In terms of a simple model for the supersolid, we find an upper bound of 8.4× 10-6 for the supersolid fraction at 25 mK, at this same confidence level. These findings force the conclusion that the NCRI observed in the torsional oscillator experiments is not evidence for a frequency- independent superfluidlike state. Supersolid behavior is a frequency-dependent phenomenon, clearly evident at frequencies above 100 Hz of the torsional oscillator experiments, but undetectably small at frequencies approaching zero. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Date Published

Journal

Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

Volume

80

Issue

22

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77954711652&doi=10.1103%2fPhysRevB.80.224516&partnerID=40&md5=8c50668cd0f40d6b9ab313385dda60e9

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevB.80.224516

Funding Source

0520404
0758104

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