Angular Momentum of Superfluid Helium in a Rotating Cylinder

Abstract

The angular momenta of low-energy states of superfluid helium in a circular cylinder rotating about its axis are calculated on the basis of the Onsager-Feynman vortex model. The ranges of angular velocity, in which $n=0, 1, 2, \dots , 7$ vortices successively give the lowest-energy state, are determined. The angular velocity range in which an $n$-vortex state may be metastable is also considered. Finally, the relaxation time due to interaction of the normal fluid with a vortex state which is not metastable is computed, following a similar calculation by Hall and Vinen.