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Squeezing superfluid from a stone: coupling superfluidity and elasticity in a supersolid
Alan T Dorsey1, Paul M Goldbart, John Toner
1Department of Physics, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118440, Gainesville, Florida 32611-8440, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 21, 2006
Summary
We developed a Landau theory for the continuous normal solid to supersolid (NS-SS) phase transition. The theory shows that lattice elasticity influences supersolid properties, causing anomalies in elastic moduli and thermal expansion.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- The normal solid to supersolid (NS-SS) phase transition is a critical phenomenon in quantum materials.
- Understanding the interplay between lattice elasticity and superfluidity is crucial for characterizing this transition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a phenomenological Landau theory for the continuous NS-SS phase transition.
- To investigate the influence of crystalline lattice elasticity on the transition's universal properties and observable anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological Landau theory formulation.
- Coupling superfluidity with crystalline lattice elasticity.
- Analysis of thermodynamic and elastic properties near the transition.
Main Results:
- Lattice elasticity does not alter the universal properties of the superfluid transition.
- The NS-SS transition exhibits anomalies in heat capacity, similar to superfluid transitions in unstressed crystals.
- Onset of supersolidity introduces anomalies in elastic moduli and thermal expansion coefficients.
- Inhomogeneous lattice strains can locally vary the superfluid transition temperature, leading to a broadened transition.
Conclusions:
- The developed Landau theory provides a framework for understanding the NS-SS transition.
- Elastic properties of the crystal lattice play a significant role in the behavior and observability of supersolidity.
- Experimental verification of predicted anomalies in elastic moduli and thermal expansion is warranted.
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