Quantum fluids: Difference between revisions

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imported>Sekhar Talluri
m (fix typo for math op)
imported>Sekhar Talluri
m (fix minor typos)
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A quantum fluid is a fluid where the mean distance between the particles is less than or comparable to the thermal de Broglie wavelength <math> h / \sqrt{(2 \pi m k T)}</math>, where
A quantum fluid is a fluid where the mean distance between the particles is less than or comparable to the thermal de Broglie wavelength <math> h / \sqrt{(2 \pi m k T)}</math>, where
: <math> h </math> is the Planck's constant
: <math> h </math> is the Planck's constant
: <math> m </math> m is the mass of the particles of the fluid
: <math> m </math> is the mass of the particles of the fluid
: <math> k </math> k is the Boltzmann's constant and
: <math> k </math> is the Boltzmann's constant and
: <math> T </math> is the temperature.
: <math> T </math> is the temperature.
In such cases there is a strong overlap of wavefunctions of adjacent particles and hence quantum statistics are applicable.  This often results in unusual observable macroscopic phenomena, such as superfluidity, superconductivity and other 'super' transport phenomena.
In such cases there is a strong overlap of wavefunctions of adjacent particles and hence quantum statistics are applicable.  This often results in unusual observable macroscopic phenomena, such as superfluidity, superconductivity and other 'super' transport phenomena.


Reference: The extraordinary phases of liquid <math>^3</math>He. Nobel lecture by D.M.Lee. (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1996/lee-lecture.pdf)
Reference: The extraordinary phases of liquid <math>^3</math>He. Nobel lecture by D.M.Lee. (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1996/lee-lecture.pdf)

Revision as of 04:51, 16 January 2009

A quantum fluid is a fluid where the mean distance between the particles is less than or comparable to the thermal de Broglie wavelength , where

is the Planck's constant
is the mass of the particles of the fluid
is the Boltzmann's constant and
is the temperature.

In such cases there is a strong overlap of wavefunctions of adjacent particles and hence quantum statistics are applicable. This often results in unusual observable macroscopic phenomena, such as superfluidity, superconductivity and other 'super' transport phenomena.

Reference: The extraordinary phases of liquid He. Nobel lecture by D.M.Lee. (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1996/lee-lecture.pdf)