Film Flow from a Rotating Beaker of Helium II

Abstract

A cylindrical Pyrex beaker of internal radius 0.318 cm containing He II was rotated about its principal axis at angular velocities ranging from 4 to 220 radians per second. The film flow rate during rotation was compared with the stationary rate by observing the rate of fall of the meniscus in rotation and at rest. No change in film flow rate greater than the scatter of individual runs (±4%) was observed over the entire range of rotation speeds. Deliberate introduction of contamination increased the creep rate but did not otherwise alter the above conclusion. A number of subsidiary experiments necessary to confirm the main conclusions are discussed.