Time-of-Flight Measurements on Quantized Vortex Lines in Rotating 3He-B

Abstract

Vortex loops are injected into a long cylindrical sample of rotating vortex-free superfluid 3He-B. Using non-invasive NMR techniques, we measure the time required for them to expand along the sample axis to form rectilinear vortex lines.

From the axial flight time we deduce the dissipative mutual friction parameter a which is found to agree with previously reported measurements. The flight time displays no anomaly at 0.6Tc, where the character of the vortex dynamics abruptly changes from regular over-damped flow to turbulence.