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We describe a numerical code developed to estimate performance of magnetic microcalorimeter configurations, including superconducting elements and SQUID characteristics. We present results of a preliminary design analysis showing that composite sensors with both superconducting and paramagnetic elements should realize substantial gains in magnetic flux signal per magnetization change of the paramagnet, compared to sensors containing only paramagnet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New paramagnetic susceptibility thermometers have been developed for use in fundamental physics missions in earth orbit. These devices use a SQUID magnetometer to measure the variation in the dc magnetization of a thermometric element that consists of a dilute concentration of manganese in a palladium matrix. Near 2.2 K these new PdMn thermometers have demonstrated a temperature resolution of better than 100 pK/[Square_Root]Hz and a time constant of 50 ms when operated with a 50 K/W thermal resistance to the liquid helium sample. These thermometers have been observed to be remarkably stable, with a drift of less than 10 fK/s. The observed power spectral density of the noise from these thermometers is consistent with separate measurements of the device’s time constant and thermal standoff from the bath. Recently these PdMn materials have been made into thin films and microstructures for use in future studies of quantum liquids, and for possible use in a new class of bolometers and radiometers. These thermometers have been integrated into an experimental cell and thermal isolation network that are adequate to keep stray heats stable to within a few picowatts, with no systematic temperature errors greater than 60 pK, over the course of a planned fundamental physics experiment on Earth orbit. © 2003 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2000 Harter et al. reported the first measurements of the enhancement of the heat capacity ΔCQ≡C(Q)-C(Q=0) of helium-II transporting a heat flux density Q near Tλ. Surprisingly, their measured ΔCQ was ∼7–12 times larger than predicted, depending on which theory was assumed. In this report we present a candidate explanation for this discrepancy: unintended heat flux inhomogeneity. Because C(Q) should diverge at a critical heat flux density Qc, homogeneous heat flow is required for an accurate measurement. We present results from numerical analysis of the heat flow in the Harter et al. cell indicating that substantial inhomogeneity occurred. We determine the effect of the inhomogeneity on ΔCQ and find rough agreement with the observed disparity between prediction and measurement. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the first continuous-wave (CW) measurements of the upward-going temperature wave in the self-organized-critical (SOC) state which forms in 4He under conditions of downward heat flow near Tλ under gravity. The CW technique permits measurements with extremely low (<1 nK) excitation amplitudes, allows continuous measurement of the wave velocity as the SOC state grows, and has yielded the first quantitative measurements of the attenuation. The CW measurements appear to support predictions for the velocity but disagree with predictions for the attenuation. This new technique may help us understand the underlying mechanism of the SOC state. © 2006 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]