Superfluid: How a Quantum Fluid Revolutionized Modern Science

Helium II is a unique liquid form of helium used in multi-ton quantities to enable modern science. It cools magnets and cavities at the Large Hadron Collider and accelerators for rare isotopes and nuclear astrophysics. It is a manifestation of quantum mechanics and exhibits amazing behaviors such as flowing up the side of a container against gravity, moving through small openings without friction, and transferring heat efficiently. This book tells the story of He II, from its discovery to its current and possible future applications, and the role that personalities, politics, communication, cooperation, and competition play in its development. It is meant for the general reader and illuminates a little-known area of science and engineering.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Unless you are a specialist or watch a lot of obscure YouTube videos, you have probably never heard of He II or superfluid helium. This substance, a unique liquid form of the element helium, is produced and used in multi-ton quantities to enable much of modern science. Altogether, He II is at the heart of more than a dozen large-scale scientific facilities worldwide, representing an investment of tens of billions of dollars. It cools the magnets and cavities that contain and accelerate the particle beams at the Large Hadron Collider and is also used in accelerators for the study of rare isotopes and nuclear astrophysics. This little-known liquid is, in reality, one of the enabling technologies of the future. A manifestation of quantum mechanics, He II exhibits amazing behaviors. It can flow up the side of a container against gravity, move through small openings without friction, and transfer heat extremely efficiently via a mechanism not seen elsewhere in nature.

This book tells the story of He II. It describes the discovery of the fluid, the observation and understanding of its behavior, the development of underlying theory, and the evolution of He II from a laboratory curiosity to an industrial-scale coolant. The current and possible future applications of He II are described.

Like all science and engineering, the story of He II is a human story, and the role that personalities, politics, communication, cooperation, and competition play in the development of He II is captured here as well. World-famous physicists such as Lev Landau, Richard Feynman, Peter Kapitza, and Kurt Mendelssohn are key players in the story, while secret police from two different countries have a walk-on role.

This work is meant for the general reader. Without assuming any prior knowledge of physics or engineering, it provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the world of He II. It is filled with fascinating anecdotes, historical insights, and technical details that will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds.

So, if you are curious about the mysterious and fascinating world of superfluid helium, or if you are simply looking for a captivating and informative read, this book is for you. Don't miss out on this incredible journey into the heart of modern science!

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031426513
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023