We describe a technique, using thin lines of triplet-state $\mathrm{He}_{2}^{*}$ molecular tracers created by femtosecond-laser field ionization of helium atoms, for visualizing the flow of the normal fluid in superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ , together with its application to thermal counterflow in a channel. We show that, at relatively small velocities, where the superfluid is already turbulent, the flow of the normal fluid remains laminar, but with a distorted velocity profile, while at a higher velocity there is a transition to turbulence. The form of the structure function in this turbulent state differs significantly from that found in types of conventional turbulence. This visualization technique also promises to be applicable to other fluid dynamical problems involving cryogenic helium.We describe a technique, using thin lines of triplet-state $\mathrm{He}_{2}^{*}$ molecular tracers created by femtosecond-laser field ionization of helium atoms, for visualizing the flow of the normal fluid in superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$, together with its application to thermal counterflow in a channel. We show that, at relatively small velocities, where the superfluid is already turbulent, the flow of the normal fluid remains laminar, but with a distorted velocity profile, while at a higher velocity there is a transition to turbulence. The form of the structure function in this turbulent state differs significantly from that found in types of conventional turbulence. This visualization technique also promises to be applicable to other fluid dynamical problems involving cryogenic helium.

arXiv:1412.1890Physical Review BMar 6, 201599 citations

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We describe a technique, using thin lines of triplet-state

\mathrm{He}_{2}^{*}

molecular tracers created by femtosecond-laser field ionization of helium atoms, for visualizing the flow of the normal fluid in superfluid

^{4}\mathrm{He}

, together with its application to thermal counterflow in a channel. We show that, at relatively small velocities, where the superfluid is already turbulent, the flow of the normal fluid remains laminar, but with a distorted velocity profile, while at a higher velocity there is a transition to turbulence. The form of the structure function in this turbulent state differs significantly from that found in types of conventional turbulence. This visualization technique also promises to be applicable to other fluid dynamical problems involving cryogenic helium.