Quartz tuning fork as a viscometer for Helium liquids
ORAL
Abstract
Oscillating beams serve as simple systems for measuring effects of energy dissipation as a result of interaction with their environment. Especially in miniature mechanical oscillators, the enhanced surface-to-volume ratio signifies the importance of damping caused by drag force. We have investigated the mechanical response of commercial miniature quartz tuning forks with a natural resonant frequency of 32.768 kHz. The changes in resonance frequency and damping have been measured at various Helium and Nitrogen gas pressures and various temperatures. Our results will be compared with theoretical predictions in order to extend its application to the sub-millikelvin temperature range as an effective thermometer in superfluid $^{3}$He.
*This work is supported by NSF grant no. DMR-0239483 and University Scholars Fellowship at University of Florida (J.J).
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