Positive ion extraction across the superfluid-vapor helium interface

2009

The extraction efficiency of positive (219)Rn ions across the superfluid-vapor helium interface above similar to 1.3 K indicates that extraction results from thermal activation across a barrier of about 20 K. Below similar to 1.3 K, the extraction efficiency is constant at about 0.7%. The evaporation of the superfluid surface by second sound pulses has a negative impact on the ion extraction, but not on the ions themselves. It takes 3.2( 6) s at 1.60 K and 15( 6) s at 1.15 K for the extraction process to recover from a disturbed state of yet unknown nature.