Thermodynamics of an Incommensurate Quantum Crystal

We present a theory of the thermodynamics of an incommensurate quantum solid. The ground state of the solid is assumed to be an incommensurate crystal, with quantum zero-point vacancies and interstitials and thus a non-integer number of atoms per unit cell. We show that at low temperature T, the var...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2005-11, Vol.310 (5751), p.1164-1166
Main Authors: Anderson, P. W, Brinkman, W. F, Huse, David A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Atoms
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Crystals
Density
Exact sciences and technology
Free energy
Ground state
Helium
Incommensurability of scientific theories
Lattice parameters
Phase transitions
Phonons
Physics
Quantum dots
Quantum fluids and solids
liquid and solid helium
Quantum theory
Solid helium and related quantum crystals
Solids
Specific heat
Thermodynamics
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We present a theory of the thermodynamics of an incommensurate quantum solid. The ground state of the solid is assumed to be an incommensurate crystal, with quantum zero-point vacancies and interstitials and thus a non-integer number of atoms per unit cell. We show that at low temperature T, the variation of the net vacancy concentration should be as T⁴ and that the first correction to the specific heat due to this varies as T⁷; these are quite consistent with experiments on solid helium-4. We also make some observations about the recent experimental reports of "supersolidity" in solid helium-4 that motivate a renewed interest in quantum crystals.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1118625