Search

Scientists Observe and Control Kelvin Waves in Superfluid Helium for the First Time

Scientists have controlled Kelvin waves in superfluid helium-4, using electric fields and nanoparticles to visualize them, advancing quantum fluid research.

Advertisement
Highlights
  • Researchers controlled and observed Kelvin waves in superfluid helium-4 f
  • The experiment used nanoparticles and electric fields to generate and tra
  • Findings could revolutionise the study of quantum turbulence and energy d
Scientists Observe and Control Kelvin Waves in Superfluid Helium for the First Time

Helical wave on a vortex with nanoparticles, showing wave dynamics.

Photo Credit: Yosuke Minowa

For the first time, researchers have successfully controlled and observed Kelvin waves in superfluid helium-4, marking a significant step in understanding energy dissipation in quantum systems. The study has provided a controlled method to excite these helical waves, which had previously only been observed in unpredictable conditions. The research opens new possibilities for studying quantised vortices and their role in energy transfer at the quantum level.

Controlled Excitation of Kelvin Waves

According to the study published in Nature Physics, also available on arXiv, Kelvin waves—first described by Lord Kelvin in 1880—are helical disturbances that travel along vortex lines in superfluid systems. These waves play a crucial role in energy dissipation within quantum fluids but have remained difficult to study due to the challenges of controlled excitation.

Associate Professor Yosuke Minowa from Kyoto University, the lead author of the study, told Phys.org that the breakthrough occurred unexpectedly. An electric field was applied to a nanoparticle decorating a quantised vortex with the intention of moving the structure. Instead, the vortex core exhibited a distinct wavy motion, leading researchers to shift their focus toward controlled Kelvin wave excitation.

Superfluid Properties and Quantum Vortex Behaviour

Superfluid helium-4, which exhibits quantum effects at macroscopic scales when cooled below 2.17 Kelvin, has no viscosity, allowing it to flow without friction. This unique state prevents energy from dissipating as heat, leading to the formation of Kelvin waves when disturbances occur in the vortex lines of the fluid. The research team demonstrated that these waves, rather than traditional fluid turbulence, provide an essential mechanism for energy transfer in superfluid systems.

Nanoparticles Used for Wave Visualisation

To track the motion of Kelvin waves, the researchers introduced silicon nanoparticles into superfluid helium-4 at 1.4 Kelvin by directing a laser at a silicon wafer submerged in the fluid. Some nanoparticles became trapped within vortex cores, making them visible under controlled conditions. A time-varying electric field was then applied, forcing oscillations in the trapped particles and generating a helical wave along the vortex.

Experiments were conducted across different excitation frequencies ranging from 0.8 to 3.0 Hertz. A dual-camera system allowed for three-dimensional reconstruction of the wave's motion, confirming its helical nature.

Experimental Confirmation and Future Research

Prof. Minowa explained to Phys.org that proving the observed phenomenon was indeed a Kelvin wave required an in-depth analysis of dispersion relations, phase velocity, and three-dimensional dynamics. By reconstructing the vortex's motion in 3D, the researchers provided direct evidence of the wave's handedness, confirming its left-handed helical structure—something never experimentally demonstrated before.

To validate their findings, the team developed a vortex filament model, which simulated Kelvin wave excitation under similar conditions. These simulations confirmed that forced oscillations of a charged nanoparticle generated helical waves in both directions, aligning with experimental results.

The study introduces a new approach for studying Kelvin waves in superfluid helium, offering insights into the mechanics of quantised vortices. Future research may explore the nonlinearity and decay processes of Kelvin waves, potentially revealing further details about quantum fluid dynamics.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

 
Show Full Article
Please wait...
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. WhatsApp May Soon Let You Import Profile Photos from Facebook, Instagram
  2. Samsung One UI 8 Blocks the Ability to Flash Custom ROMs: Report
  1. iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max Tipped to Offer 8x Optical Zoom, New Pro Camera App, More
  2. Noise Air Clips 2 OWS Earphones Launched in India With Up to 40 Hours Total Battery Life
  3. WhatsApp Said to Be Testing Feature That Lets You Import Profile Photos from Facebook or Instagram
  4. Samsung One UI 8 Update Removes OEM Unlocking Option for Flashing Custom ROMs: Report
  5. Oppo Reno 14FS 5G Price, Design and Specifications Leaked Ahead of Anticipated Debut
  6. Samsung Galaxy A07 Listed on Google Play Console With Design, Key Specifications: Report
  7. Microsoft SharePoint Hack: Probe on Whether Chinese Hackers Found Flaw via Alert
  8. Samsung Reportedly in Talks With OpenAI, Perplexity to Offer Gemini AI Alternatives on Galaxy S26 Series
  9. Redmi 15 Design Renders, Specifications Leaked; Tipped to Arrive in Three Colourways
  10. Google Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL Spotted in Moonstone Colourway Alongside Pixel Buds 2a and Pixel Watch 4
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
App Store App Store
Available in Hindi
App Store
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »