The surface tension of liquid helium

Abstract

The previous measurements made on the surface tension of liquid helium by Onnes( 1 ) were carried only as far down in temperature as 1·5° K. Since we had apparatus set up suitable for such measurements and capable of reaching temperatures nearly half a degree lower, we considered it worth while to repeat the measurements. Not only was this done for the purpose of extending them to lower temperatures but also to investigate carefully the variation of surface tension in the region of the λ-point (2·186° K.), the transition temperature between He i and Hen ii .