Bringing together two previously distinct strands of physics, this text introduces the interdisciplinary field of quantum turbulence, the realm of quantum fluids and vortices in superfluid helium and atomic Bose–Einstein condensates. Covering state-of-the-art methods and results, it is an essential read for students and seasoned researchers alike.

This book springs from the programme Quantized Vortex Dynamics and Sup- ?uid Turbulence held at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (University of Cambridge) in August 2000. What motivated the programme was the recognition that two recent developments have moved the study of qu- tized vorticity, traditionally carried out within the low-temperature physics and condensed-matter physics communities, into a new era. The ?rst development is the increasing contact with classical ?uid dynamics and its ideas and methods. For example, some current experiments with - lium II now deal with very classical issues, such as the measurement of velocity spectra and turbulence decay rates. The evidence from these experiments and many others is that super?uid turbulence and classical turbulence share many features. The challenge is now to explain these similarities and explore the time scales and length scales over which they hold true. The observed classical aspects have also attracted attention to the role played by the ?ow of the normal ?uid, which was somewhat neglected in the past because of the lack of direct ?ow visualization. Increased computing power is also making it possible to study the coupled motion of super?uid vortices and normal ?uids. Another contact with classical physics arises through the interest in the study of super?uid vortex - connections. Reconnections have been studied for some time in the contexts of classical ?uid dynamics and magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD), and it is useful to learn from the experience acquired in other ?elds.

The aim of this primer is to cover the essential theoretical information, quickly and concisely, in order to enable senior undergraduate and beginning graduate students to tackle projects in topical research areas of quantum fluids, for example, solitons, vortices and collective modes. The selection of the material, both regarding the content and level of presentation, draws on the authors analysis of the success of relevant research projects with newcomers to the field, as well as of the students feedback from many taught and self-study courses on the subject matter. Starting with a brief historical overview, this text covers particle statistics, weakly interacting condensates and their dynamics and finally superfluid helium and quantum turbulence. At the end of each chapter (apart from the first) there are some exercises. Detailed solutions can be made available to instructors upon request to the authors.

Vortices comprising swirling motion of matter are observable in classical systems at all scales ranging from atomic size to the scale of galaxies. In quantum mechanical systems, such vortices are robust entities whose behaviours are governed by the strict rules of topology. The physics of quantum vortices is pivotal to basic science of quantum turbulence and high temperature superconductors, and underpins emerging quantum technologies including topological quantum computation. This handbook is aimed at providing a dictionary style portal to the fascinating quantum world of vortices.

This book reports on the latest developments in the field of Superfluidity, one of the most fundamental, interesting, and important problems in physics, with applications ranging from metals, helium liquids, photons in cavities, excitons in semiconductors, to the interior of neutron stars and the present state of the Universe as a whole.

Recent investigations have highlighted the similarities between turbulence in cryogenic fluids at temperatures close to absolute zero, in particular superfluid helium, and turbulence in ordinary fluids. This book contains lectures on various theoretical and experimental aspects of the problem given by experts at the advanced school “Vortices and Turbulence at Low Temperatures” held at CISM, Udine, in the summer of 2007. The lectures provide an introduction into this rapidly expanding area of research. The book is suitable to PhD students and young researchers starting their career as well as established researchers in either low temperature physics or fluid mechanics who are interested in this problem.