Melting process and interface instability of highly magnetized solid 3He: role of the magnetization gradient

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Fluids and Solids

Background:

• Understanding the melting dynamics of highly magnetized materials is crucial for condensed matter physics.
• Previous theoretical models, like those by Castaing and Nozieres, proposed specific melting scenarios for solid helium-3 (³He).
• Experimental verification of these scenarios, particularly concerning melting instability, has been challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the melting process of highly magnetized solid helium-3 (³He) by simultaneously observing magnetization profiles and the liquid-solid interface.
• To provide mesoscopic confirmation of the Castaing and Nozieres melting scenario.
• To explain the observed long delay before the onset of melting instability.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous observation of magnetization profiles and the liquid-solid interface during the melting of highly magnetized solid ³He.
• Analysis of magnetization enhancements and gradients at the solid-liquid interface.
• Extension of the stability analysis of Puech et al. to incorporate liquid magnetization gradients.

Main Results:

• Observed clear enhancements of magnetization and magnetization gradients at the interface of both solid and liquid ³He during melting.
• Provided mesoscopic confirmation of the Castaing and Nozieres melting scenario.
• Demonstrated that the magnetization gradient in the liquid suppresses melting instability, explaining the experimental delay.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the theoretical melting scenario for highly magnetized solid ³He.
• The observed delay in melting instability is explained by the suppression effect of liquid magnetization gradients.
• This work resolves discrepancies between previous theoretical predictions and experimental observations in ³He melting dynamics.