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Discovery of a metastable π-state in a superfluid 3He weak link

Author

Listed:
  • S. Backhaus

    (University of California)

  • S. Pereverzev

    (University of California)

  • R. W. Simmonds

    (University of California)

  • A. Loshak

    (University of California)

  • J. C. Davis

    (University of California)

  • R. E. Packard

    (University of California)

Abstract

Under certain circumstances1,2, a superconducting Josephson junction can maintain a quantum phase difference of π between the two samples that are weakly connected to form the junction. Such systems are called ‘π-junctions’ and have formed the basis of several experiments designed to investigate the much-debated symmetry of the order parameter of high-temperature superconductors3,4,5,6,7,8. More recently, the possibility that similar phenomena might occur in another macroscopic quantum system — a pair of weakly coupled Bose–Einstein condensates — has also been suggested9. Here we report the discovery of a metastable superfluid state, in which a quantum phase difference of π is maintained across a weak link separating two reservoirs of superfluid 3He. The existence of this state, which is the superfluid analogue ofa superconducting π-junction, is likely to reflect the underlying ‘p-wave’ symmetry of the order parameter of superfluid 3He, but a precise microscopic explanation is at present unknown.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Backhaus & S. Pereverzev & R. W. Simmonds & A. Loshak & J. C. Davis & R. E. Packard, 1998. "Discovery of a metastable π-state in a superfluid 3He weak link," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6677), pages 687-690, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:392:y:1998:i:6677:d:10.1038_33629
    DOI: 10.1038/33629
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