Feynman, R. P. (1953) Atomic theory of the lambda transition in helium. Physical Review, 91 (6). pp. 1291-1301. ISSN 0031-899X. doi:10.1103/PhysRev.91.1291. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:FEYpr53b
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Abstract
It is shown from first principles that, in spite of the large interatomic forces, liquid He4 should exhibit a transition analogous to the transition in an ideal Bose-Einstein gas. The exact partition function is written as an integral over trajectories, using the space-time approach to quantum mechanics. It is next argued that the motion of one atom through the others is not opposed by a potential barrier because the others may move out of the way. This just increases the effective inertia of the moving atom. This permits a simpler form to be written for the partition function. A rough analysis of this form shows the existence of a transition, but of the third order. It is possible that a more complete analysis would show that the transition implied by the simplified partition function is actually like the experimental one.
Item Type: | Article | ||||||
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Additional Information: | ©1953 The American Physical Society. Received 15 May 1953. The author appreciates conversations with Edward Kerner and with M. Kac, as a result of which he became interested in the problem. He also is grateful for discussions with E. Wigner, H. Bethe, and R. F. Christy. | ||||||
Issue or Number: | 6 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1103/PhysRev.91.1291 | ||||||
Record Number: | CaltechAUTHORS:FEYpr53b | ||||||
Persistent URL: | https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:FEYpr53b | ||||||
Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. | ||||||
ID Code: | 3537 | ||||||
Collection: | CaltechAUTHORS | ||||||
Deposited By: | Tony Diaz | ||||||
Deposited On: | 13 Jun 2006 | ||||||
Last Modified: | 08 Nov 2021 19:56 |
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