Time-Dependent Ginzburg–Landau Analysis of Inhomogeneous Normal-Superfluid Transitions

Abstract

We study the propagation of the normal-superfluid interface under inhomogeneous cooling. Assuming a uniform temperature gradient we establish the conditions for creating topological defects for both slow and fast superfluid transitions using the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory. For fast transitions, we find agreement with the Kibble-Zurek scenario. Experiments where the temperature change is generated by absorption of a neutron in ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ are discussed.