量子流體與低溫技術

This course delivers students the fundamental concepts in quantum fluids, namely, liquid helium-3 and 4, and its application for cryogenics. The history of low temperature physics and cryogenic techniques are taught on the basis of properties of liquid helium. Use of low temperature has much shorter history than the use of heat (fire) for human beings. Actually, active production of low temperature is started after the development of thermodynamics, which was established in order to improve heat engines. A modern low temperature physics started after the liquefaction of helium (He) in 1908 by a Duch physicist, Kamerlingh Onnes, when the lowest temperature of 4.2 K was achieved. Liquid He exhibits quantum mechanical effect in a macroscopic scale. Superfluidity of liquid 4He is based on the Bose-Einstein statistics of 4He atoms whereas Fermi liquid properties and superfluidity of liquid 3He are explained on the basis of Fermi-Dirac statistics of 3He atoms. They are all quantum effects, and helium is the only substance which stay in liquid phase down to absolute zero. This is also due to a quantum effect. In this lecture, fascinating study on physics of quantum fluid will be given along with the use of liquid helium to generate further low temperatures.

Calculus, Physics(II), Thermodynamics, Quantum mechanics (Introduction)

Attendance: 30% 3 reports : 70% (20%+20%+30%)