The thickness of the moving helium II film

Abstract

The conflicting theories of the thickness of the moving helium II film given by Kontorovich and Franchetti are examined. The former is found to be consistent with the basic postulates of the two-fluid model, while Franchetti's derivation is shown to require correction. By arguments based on the thermodynamics of a system in which relative motion occurs, the two approaches are reconciled, confirming Kontorovich's result that the moving film is thinner than the static film.