New Key to Unlock Mysteries of Physics: Quantum Turbulence

Physicists may have uncovered a new key to unlocking the mysteries of physics: quantum turbulence. This less-understood force may shed light on some of the areas of physics that scientists are only just beginning to understand.

Quantum turbulence is the chaotic motion of fluids that exist at temperatures close to zero, which occurs at very high rates. This fluid movement of regular turbulence has been observed for centuries; Leonardo da Vinci even observed it as he watched water falling into a pond.

Turbulence doesn't just occur in water, though. It occurs all around the world and in the universe. The efficiency of jet engines depends on turbulence, and the generation of galactic magnetic fields also is impacted by turbulence. Yet many of its inner workings continue to elude scientists.

That's why the researchers decided to take a closer look at turbulence. More specifically, they focused on quantum turbulence, which appears in quantum fluids. In addition to their vitality at near-zero temperatures, quantum fluids can flow freely because they have no viscosity. Their rotation is also limited to vortex lines, which is in stark contrast to ordinary fluids; ordinary fluids have rotations that can vary in size, shape and strength. They then published the findings in a special issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Our aim is to link together the articles of this special issue and to provide a perspective of the future development of a subject that contains aspects of fluid mechanics, atomic physics, condensed matter, and low-temperature physics," wrote the authors in a news release. "Further experimental studies of quantum turbulence, probing physical conditions not known to Nature at temperatures many orders to magnitude lower, may uncover phenomena not yet known to physics."