Origin of Bound States ofHe3Atoms on Free SuperfluidHe4Surfaces

Abstract

An approximate theory of the motion of a ${\mathrm{He}}^3$ atom in the vicinity of a superfluid ${\mathrm{He}}^4$ surface is presented. The theory predicts a bound state of the ${\mathrm{He}}^3$ atom in the vicinity of the surface, in accord with experimental results. The theoretical value for the energy of this state (measured with respect to the ${\mathrm{He}}^4$ chemical potential) is within 35% of the experimentally determined value.