Abstract
We describe experiments on the laser levitation of superfluid helium. Liquid drops of 10–20 μm diameter are produced by a submerged piezoelectric transducer and suspended in vapor at 2K for up to 3 minutes. The optical trap is formed by two counter-propagating, horizontal, focused laser beams. Calculations show that Brillouin and Raman scattering of the laser light in the liquid helium produces a negligible rate of evaporation of the drop. Evaporation caused by the enhanced vapor pressure of the curved drop surfaces appears to be a significant effect limiting the drop lifetimes. We calculate the characteristics of the optical trap and the deformation of the liquid drops by the light forces. The observed simultaneous trapping of multiple drops is also discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Ashkin,Phys. Rev. Lett. 24, 156 (1970).
A. Ashkin and J. M. Dziedzic,Appl. Phys. Lett. 19, 283 (1971).
A. Ashkin and J. M. Dziedzic,Appl. Phys. Lett. 28, 333 (1976).
A. Ashkin and J. M. Dziedzic,Science 187, 1073 (1975).
T. G. Wang, E. H. Trinh, A. P. Croonquist, and D. D. Elleman,Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 452 (1986).
R. A. Brown and L. E. Scriven,Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A371, 331 (1980).
G. M. Seidel and H. J. Maris,Physica B 194–196, 577 (1994).
G. M. Seidel, H. J. Maris, F. I. B. Williams, and J. G. Cardon,Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 2380 (1986).
C. G. Paine and G. M. Seidel,Rev. Sci. Inst. 62, 3022 (1991).
It is possible to levitate using a single, focussed, vertical beam. This would eliminate the alignment problem but could not be used given our cryostat geometry. See ref. [2]..
Questar Model QM-100.
A. Ashkin and J. M. Dziedzic,Appl. Opt. 19, 660 (1980).
Similar bright spots are observed in images of levitated glass spheres. G. Roosen,Opt. Commun. 21, 189 (1977).
IR blocking glass KG3 from Schott Glass Technologies, Duryea, Pennsylvania.
A. W. Lawson and L. Meyer,Phys. Rev. 93, 259 (1954).
H. Grimm and K. Dransfeld,Z. Naturforschg. 22A, 1629 (1967).
M. J. Stephen,Phys. Rev. 187, 279 (1969).
T. J. Greytak and J. Yan,Phys. Rev. Lett. 22, 987 (1969).
T. J. Greytak, inQuantum Liquids, J. Ruvalds and T. Regge, eds. (North Holland, Amsterdam, 1978).
A. L. Smith, W. E. Keller, and H. L. Johnston,Phys. Rev. 79, 728 (1950).
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz,Statistical Physics (Pergamon Press, New York, 1980), 3rd ed., Part 1, p. 523.
G. D. Raithby and K. G. T. Hollands, inAdvances in Heat Transfer, T. F. Irvine, Jr. and J. P. Hartnett, eds. (Academic, New York, 1975), Vol. 11, p. 280.
R. Clift, J. R. Grace, and M. E. Weber,Bubbles, Drops and Particles (Academic Press, New York, 1978), Chap. 3.
B. Castaing and P. Nozières,J. Physique 41, 701 (1980).
H. Wiechert,J. Phys. C 9, 553 (1976).
G. Roosen and S. Slansky,Opt. Commun. 29, 341 (1979).
W. H. Wright, G. J. Sonek, and M. W. Berns,Appl. Phys. Lett. 63, 715 (1993).
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifschitz,Electrodynamics of Continuous Media (Pergamon Press, New York, 1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weilert, M.A., Whitaker, D.L., Maris, H.J. et al. Laser levitation of superfluid helium. J Low Temp Phys 98, 17–35 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754065
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00754065