Superfluid Onset and Prewetting of 4He on Rubidium

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

Phys. Rev. B58, 3361 (1998) 
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Abstract 

Introduction

Experimental Methods

Data

Discussion

Conlcusions
  
References 
 
 
 
 

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Abstract

Quartz crystal microbalance isotherms of 4He on rubidium are presented. The isotherms are used to locate the prewetting transition and the onset of superfluidity in the adsorbed helium films. The phase diagram of He on Rb is distinctly different from helium on either conventional strong substrates or on cesium. In particular, the superfluid transition is hysteretic and does not conform to the Kosterlitz-Thouless paradigm.