Formation of superfluid liquid pocket in aerogel and its solidification by cooling

Abstract

Formation of superfluid liquid pockets of ⁴He surrounded by ⁴He crystals were observed in an aerogel of 96% porosity. The liquid pockets did not crystallize by application of pressure but crystallized via avalanche by cool-ing below a particular temperature. The crystallization by cooling was also observed when crystals occupied a smaller portion of the aerogel. Driving force for the crystallization by cooling and possible mass transport process are discussed.