An Introduction to Quantum Turbulence

Carlo F. Barenghi, Ladislav Skrbek, Katepalli R. Sreenivasan

William Frank Vinen

This paper provides a brief introduction to quantum turbulence in simple superfluids, in which the required rotational motion in the superfluid component is due entirely to the topological defects that are identified as quantized vortices. Particular emphasis is placed on the basic dynamical behaviour of the quantized vortices and on turbulent decay mechanisms at a very low temperature. There are possible analogies with the behaviour of cosmic strings.

Carlo F. Barenghi, L. Skrbek, Katepalli R. Sreenivasan

The term quantum turbulence denotes the turbulent motion of quantum fluids, systems such as superfluid helium and atomic Bose-Einstein condensates, which are characterized by quantized vorticity, superfluidity, and, at finite temperatures, two-fluid behavior. This article introduces their basic properties, describes types and regimes of turbulence that have been observed, and highlights similarities and differences between quantum turbulence and classical turbulence in ordinary fluids. Our aim is also to link together the articles of this special issue and to provide a perspective of the future development of a subject that contains aspects of fluid mechanics, atomic physics, condensed matter, and low-temperature physics.

Dimitri Kusnezov, Aurel Bulgac, G. Do Dang

We study a quantum particle propagating through a ``quantum mechanically chaotic'' background, described by parametric random matrices with only short range spatial correlations. The particle is found to exhibit turbulent-like diffusion under very general situations, without the apriori introduction of power law noise or scaling in the background properties.

Carlo F. Barenghi, Thomas Bland, Nick G. Parker