The Structure of Liquid ⁴He across the λ-point

Abstract

Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modelling has been used to create three dimensional particle configurations of condensed ⁴He that are consistent with diffraction data at ten different temperatures across the superfluid transition. Here it is shown that all observable changes in the data are within the experimental uncertainties, so no conclusions can be drawn concerning possible structural differences between normal fluid and superfluid. The local structure is found to be dominantly icosahedral.

Key Words:

• Reverse Monte Carlo modelling
• superfluid transition