Superfluid Droplets on a Solid Surface

D. Ross, J. E. Rutledge and P. Taborek
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of California, Irvine 92697

Science, 278, 664(1997)

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Abstract

Photographs are presented of isolated superfluid ⁴He droplets prepared on a cesium surface, the only material known which is not wetted by superfluid helium. Although thermodynamic measurements show that the cesium surface is highly uniform, the contact angle of the droplets is extremely hysteretic and depends on whether the contact line is advancing or receding. Superfluid droplets on an inclined surface do not flow downhill, but rather are strongly pinned to the surface.