A swirling vortex of light in liquid helium, illustrating quantum turbulence.

Unlocking the Secrets of Superfluidity: How Quantum Turbulence Could Revolutionize Technology

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Nico Varela in Science & Nature June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the fascinating world of superfluid helium-3 and quantum turbulence, and discover how understanding Andreev reflection is key to unlocking future tech breakthroughs."


Imagine a substance that flows without any friction, capable of climbing the walls of its container and swirling endlessly without stopping. This isn't science fiction, but a real phenomenon known as superfluidity. Superfluids, like helium-3 at extremely low temperatures, exhibit bizarre quantum behaviors that challenge our everyday understanding of physics. But these aren't just interesting oddities; they hold immense potential for future technological breakthroughs.

At the heart of understanding superfluids is the concept of quantum turbulence – a chaotic state involving quantized vortices, which are like tiny tornadoes swirling within the superfluid. Visualizing and understanding this turbulence is no easy task, but scientists are making progress using a technique called Andreev reflection, where thermal quasiparticles (tiny packets of energy) bounce off these vortices, providing a way to 'see' the turbulence.

A recent study combines numerical simulations and experimental observations to shed light on the intricacies of quantum turbulence in superfluid helium-3. By analyzing how quasiparticles are reflected by these vortices, researchers are gaining insights into the fundamental nature of superfluidity and its potential applications.

Decoding Andreev Reflection: A Window into Quantum Turbulence

A swirling vortex of light in liquid helium, illustrating quantum turbulence.

Andreev reflection is a peculiar quantum phenomenon that occurs in superfluids. In essence, when a quasiparticle encounters a vortex in the superfluid, it can be reflected as a quasihole (a missing quasiparticle), and vice versa. This process is extremely sensitive to the properties of the superfluid flow and the structure of the vortices. Because of this sensitivity, it acts as a near perfect tool, a ‘passive probe’ to examine vortices at very low temperatures. By studying how these quasiparticles are reflected, scientists can create maps of the vortex structures and understand the dynamics of quantum turbulence.

Researchers have been using computer simulations to model the behavior of vortices in superfluid helium-3 and how quasiparticles interact with them. These simulations allow them to predict the patterns of Andreev reflection, which can then be compared with experimental measurements. The combination of simulation and experiment provides a powerful way to validate theoretical models and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying physics.

The study highlights several key findings:
  • Visualizing Vortex Structures: Andreev reflection allows for the creation of two-dimensional maps of vortex structures within the superfluid.
  • Quantifying Turbulence: The total Andreev reflection is related to the density of vortex lines, providing a measure of the intensity of quantum turbulence.
  • Identifying Turbulence Regimes: While distinguishing between different types of quantum turbulence (quasiclassical vs. ultraquantum) using total Andreev reflection alone is difficult, spectral analysis offers some insights.
One of the significant challenges in studying quantum turbulence is the phenomenon of 'screening.' When vortices are close together, their effects on quasiparticles can overlap, making it difficult to interpret the Andreev reflection patterns. The study delves into the mechanisms of screening, providing a more accurate picture of how quasiparticles interact with complex vortex structures. Scientists are using various models to model and understand the screening effect and other phenomenon.

The Future of Superfluid Technology

While the study of superfluids and quantum turbulence may seem abstract, it has the potential to revolutionize various fields. Superfluid helium-3 is already used in some advanced technologies, such as ultra-sensitive detectors and low-temperature refrigerators. A deeper understanding of these phenomena could lead to even more groundbreaking applications, including ultra-efficient energy storage, quantum computing, and new types of sensors. More research is needed to turn this theory into reality, and open new doors to technology and the world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1103/physrevb.96.054510, Alternate LINK

Title: Visualization Of Quantum Turbulence In Superfluid He3−B : Combined Numerical And Experimental Study Of Andreev Reflection

Journal: Physical Review B

Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)

Authors: V. Tsepelin, A. W. Baggaley, Y. A. Sergeev, C. F. Barenghi, S. N. Fisher, G. R. Pickett, M. J. Jackson, N. Suramlishvili

Published: 2017-08-14

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is superfluidity and why is it so unusual?

Superfluidity is the bizarre phenomenon where substances, like helium-3 at extremely low temperatures, flow without friction. It exhibits quantum behaviors such as climbing the walls of its container and swirling endlessly without stopping. While it may seem odd, superfluidity holds potential for technological breakthroughs.

2

Can you explain the concept of Andreev reflection and its role in studying superfluids?

Andreev reflection is a quantum phenomenon that occurs in superfluids like helium-3. When a quasiparticle encounters a vortex, it can be reflected as a quasihole, and vice versa. This process is extremely sensitive to the properties of the superfluid flow and the vortex structures, making it useful for examining vortices at very low temperatures. By studying how these quasiparticles are reflected, scientists can create maps of the vortex structures and understand the dynamics of quantum turbulence.

3

What is quantum turbulence, and how do scientists observe it in superfluids?

Quantum turbulence is a chaotic state involving quantized vortices within a superfluid like helium-3. Visualizing this turbulence is difficult, but scientists use Andreev reflection, where thermal quasiparticles bounce off these vortices, as a way to 'see' the turbulence. Understanding this turbulence is crucial for unlocking the potential applications of superfluidity.

4

What are some potential future applications of research into superfluids and quantum turbulence?

The study of superfluids and quantum turbulence could lead to ultra-efficient energy storage, advancements in quantum computing, and new types of sensors. Superfluid helium-3 is already used in technologies like ultra-sensitive detectors and low-temperature refrigerators. Further research is needed to fully realize the potential of these phenomena.

5

What is the challenge of 'screening' in the context of quantum turbulence, and how are scientists addressing it?

Screening occurs when vortices in a superfluid are close together, causing their effects on quasiparticles to overlap. This makes it difficult to interpret the Andreev reflection patterns. Understanding screening is essential for accurately mapping vortex structures and quantifying turbulence, and researchers are actively developing models to understand this effect.

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