EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R54453/01
Title: Microkelvin Quantum Fluid Physics and the Advanced Lancaster Refrigerator
Principal Investigator: Pickett, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Guenault, Professor AM Fisher, Professor SN Bradley, Dr DI
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: Lancaster University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 2002 Ends: 31 October 2005 Value (£): 389,692
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Quantum Fluids & Solids
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
We plan to exploit the outstanding performance features of the Lancaster Advanced Microkelvin Refrigerator, now fully operational, to study the physics of the quantum fluid superfluid helium-3 as well as to continue leading-edge development of ultra-low temperature techniques for experiments in condensed matter physics. Superfluid helium-3 is a model substance with connections to such topics as superconductivity and cosmology. Since we can maintain helium temperatures below 150 microkelvin for at least a week at a time, we can plan sophisticated experiments at the lowest available temperatures, including:(1) to continue and extend measurements on superfluid helium-3 in the material aerogel, which acts as a type of impurity in the helium. We have recently discovered a new method, using an aerogel-loaded vibrating wire device, of studying the superfluid density in this interesting superfluid, and we have discovered an A-B transition.(2) to investigate quasiparticle scattering properties from a bulk superfluid - aerogel superfluid interface.(3) to further investigate the alarmingly long (up to 2000 seconds) spin precession states in bulk superfluid helium-3 using NMR techniques.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.lancs.ac.uk