Observations on Superfluid Meniscus in Rotating 3He-B

Abstract

The parabolic superfluid meniscus has been seen for states in which only (1) the normal or (2) the superfluid component of 3He-B rotates. A reduced, temperature-dependent meniscus (1) was formed at small speeds Ω≲0.21 rad /s. A deeper-than-expected meniscus (2) was observed after a rapid halt of the cryostat, when the normal fluid stops during a short relaxation time, followed by slow decay of the superfluid circulation. The depth of the meniscus (2) was explained by a reactive radial force between the rotating superfluid and the stationary normal liquid.