Numerical Investigation of Second Sound in Liquid Helium

Abstract

At temperatures below 2.17 K, the phenomenon of thermal waves has been observed in liquid Helium. This paper describes the reproduction of these waves, called "Second Sound," by means of simulation. Two different models for the heat transport in Helium are tried. First the classical heat diffusion equation is used with temperature dependent thermal parameters. The second model for heat transport is based on the more complex Two Fluid Model which was introduced for Helium close to the absolute zero point of temperature. Simulations with various initial and boundary conditions show that the first model is not sufficient to describe heat transport in Helium, whereas the second model gives satisfactory results.


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Last modified: February 13, 2006 -- © François Cellier