## Files in this item

FilesDescriptionFormat

application/pdf

9011023.pdf (5MB)
(no description provided)PDF

## Description

 Title: Measurement of the chemical potential of thin helium films Author(s): Shirron, Peter John Doctoral Committee Chair(s): Mochel, J.M. Department / Program: Physics Discipline: Physics Degree Granting Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Degree: Ph.D. Genre: Dissertation Subject(s): Physics, Condensed Matter Abstract: High-precision measurements of third sound velocities in atomically thin $\sp4$He films on Ar, Ne, CO$\sb2$, and H$\sb2$ substrates in the T = OK limit reveal a periodic structure not corresponding to whole layers. We analyze the data in two extreme limits. First, treating the helium film as an incompressible, continuous fluid, the data indicate that the chemical potential has a contribution proportional to $\ell\sp{-6}$, where $\ell$ is a layer coverage, which is modulated at intervals of.62 $\pm$.04 layers, and which weakens the van der Waals potential. Second, if we assume the potential is exactly the van der Waals potential, the data indicate the existence in the film of a damped smectic density wave with a periodicity of.54 $\pm$.04 layers, independent of substrate. The correct description of He films must lie between these extremes. We find the inert layer coverages to be 1 full layer on Ar, Ne, and CO$\sb2$, and.36 layers on H$\sb2$.Coverages scales were determined using helium adsorption isotherms. A self-consistent analysis method was developed based on the modified Brunauer-Emmet-Teller method for low coverages and the Fenkel-Halsey-Hill vapor pressure relation at high coverages. The analysis establishes the layer capacities for helium films and helium-substrate chemical potential constants, $\Gamma$. Issue Date: 1989 Type: Text Language: English URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22107 Rights Information: Copyright 1989 Shirron, Peter John Date Available in IDEALS: 2011-05-07 Identifier in Online Catalog: AAI9011023 OCLC Identifier: (UMI)AAI9011023
﻿