Ultrasonic Cavitation in Liquid Helium

Abstract

Based on the new interpretation that rotons behave like tiny quantized vortex rings, a theory is constructed to give a complete picture of ultrasonic cavitation in liquid helium. The problem of nuclei of cavitation is approached from a new direction. Questions like the λ-peak of the audible threshold, the distinction among audible, incipient visible and desinent visible cavitation thresholds in He II, the lack of such distinction in He I, the reduction of audible threshold by rotation in He II and the absence of such reduction in He I, are satisfactorily explained. The relevance of the present theory to cavitation in ordinary liquids is briefly discussed.