arXiv:2003.03846 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics
Normal density and moment of inertia of a moving superfluid
Yi‐Cai Zhang, Shu-Wei Song, Gang Chen
Abstract
Abstract In this work, the normal density ρ n and moment of inertia of a moving superfluid are investigated. We find that, even at zero temperature, there exists a finite normal density for the moving superfluid. When the velocity of superfluid reaches sound velocity, the normal density becomes total mass density ρ , which indicates that the system losses superfluidity. At the same time, the Landau’s critical velocity also becomes zero. The existence of the non-zero normal density is attributed to the coupling between the motion of superflow and density fluctuation in transverse directions. With Josephson relation, the superfluid density ρ s is also calculated and the identity ρ s + ρ n = ρ holds. Further more, we find that the finite normal density also results in a quantized moment of inertia in a moving superfluid trapped by a ring. The normal density and moment of inertia at zero temperature could be verified experimentally by measuring the angular momentum of a moving superfluid in a ring trap.