Progress in flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.021

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2025, Vol. 59

Issue (4): 853-862 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.021

Progress in flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium

Yingxuan HU1(

),Guoliang LI1,Wenlin HUANG1,Junpei ZHANG2,Xin TONG2,Limin QIU1,Shiran BAO1,*(

)

1. Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics , Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
2. Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

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Abstract

Flow visualization is a novel measurement technique that is non-intrusive and highly precise. The application of the technique provides detailed insights into the flow and heat transfer of superfluid helium, thereby supporting the design of cooling systems in large superconducting installations. The interactions between tracers and quantum vortices significantly affect the measurement accuracy of flow visualization. The flow fields have been visualized using three primary methods based on tracer selection: electron bubble, particle tracing, and molecular tracing methods. Key technologies involved in these methods were studied, including the selection of tracers according to experimental goals, the establishment of suitable optical paths, and data post-processing.

Key words： superfluid helium flow visualization techniques superconducting cooling cryogenic measurement quantum vortex tracer technique

Received: 17 January 2024 Published: 25 April 2025

CLC:

O 512.1

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（52206028）.

Corresponding Authors: Shiran BAO E-mail: huyingxuan@zju.edu.cn;srbao@zju.edu.cn

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	Limin QIU
	Shiran BAO

Cite this article:

Yingxuan HU,Guoliang LI,Wenlin HUANG,Junpei ZHANG,Xin TONG,Limin QIU,Shiran BAO. Progress in flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2025, 59(4): 853-862.

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https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.04.021 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2025/V59/I4/853

超流氦流场可视化技术研究进展

流场可视化是非接触式、全局高精度的新兴测量技术，测得的精细超流氦流场与传热信息能够为超导大科学装置的冷却系统设计提供数据和关联式支撑. 超流氦具有量子特性，示踪物与量子涡旋的相互作用程度显著影响流场可视化测量的准确性. 基于不同示踪物，深入讨论电子气泡法、微粒示踪法和分子示踪法3种主要的流场可视化方法涉及的关键技术，包括依据实验目的选择示踪物、搭建合适的光路和进行数据后处理.

关键词： 超流氦, 流场可视化技术, 超导冷却, 低温测量, 量子涡旋, 示踪技术

Fig.1 Relationship of mole fraction of two components in superfluid helium with temperature

Tab.1 Main methods and characteristics of flow visualization in superfluid helium

Fig.2 Photographs of discrete quantum vortex lines in superfluid helium at different rotational speeds ^[19]

Fig.3 Numerical simulation of superfluid helium flow around cylinder^[36]

Tab.2 Common solidification media in superfluid helium

Fig.4 Visualization images of reconnecting quantum vortices in superfluid helium^[44]

Fig.5 Flow fields of liquid helium and superfluid helium observed by tracing solid air particles^[51]

Fig.6 Velocity fields of normal component and superfluid component in thermal counterflow^[52]

Fig.7 Flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium based on tip ionization^[57]

Fig.8 Flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium based on laser ionization ^[60]

Fig.9 Flow visualization techniques in superfluid helium based on neutron ionization ^[64-66]

Tab.3 Common tracers in flow visualization in superfluid helium and their characteristics^[63,69]


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