The enigma of supersolidity

A 'supersolid' is a quantum solid in which a fraction of the mass is superfluid. As a remarkable consequence, it is rigid, but part of its mass is able to flow owing to quantum physical processes. This paradoxical state of matter was considered as a theoretical possibility as early as 1969...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2010-03, Vol.464 (7286), p.176-182
Main Author: Balibar, Sebastien
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/301/119/999
Analysis
Atoms & subatomic particles
Experiments
Fluids
Humanities and Social Sciences
multidisciplinary
Origins
Quantum theory
review-article
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Shear stress
Single crystals
Solids
Superconductors
Superfluidity
Temperature
Theory
Vacancies
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:A 'supersolid' is a quantum solid in which a fraction of the mass is superfluid. As a remarkable consequence, it is rigid, but part of its mass is able to flow owing to quantum physical processes. This paradoxical state of matter was considered as a theoretical possibility as early as 1969, but its existence was discovered only in 2004, in 4 He. Since then, intense experimental and theoretical efforts have been made to explain the origins of this exotic state of matter. It now seems that its physical interpretation is more complicated than originally thought.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/nature08913