Defect formation in inhomogeneous second-order phase transition: theory and experiment
Abstract
The status quo in our understanding of defect formation during a rapid transition into the broken symmetry state in condensed matter and cosmology is discussed. An observation of vortex nucleation in neutron absorption experiments in superfluid 3He-B is interpreted in terms of defect formation during inhomogeneous cooling through Tc. Due to the temperature gradient in the locally heated region the superfluid-phase transition occurs as a propagating front. The theoretical considerations of vortex formation at the propagating front are based on works by Kibble-Volovik, Kopnin-Thuneberg, and Aranson-Kopnin-Vinokur (AKV).
- Publication:
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Physica B Condensed Matter
- Pub Date:
- May 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1016/S0921-4526(99)01512-4
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/9905320
- Bibcode:
- 2000PhyB..280..122V
- Keywords:
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- Condensed Matter
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 5 figures (modified), invited talk at LT-22 (August 1999), modified after referee report, references are added