Speaker: Dr Vaisakh Vadakkumbatt, Assistant Professor, Cryogenic Engineering Centre, IIT Kharagpur.
Title: “Superfluid Helium-3 Under Nanoscale Confinement“
Date: Friday, 6th March 2026 – Time: 4 PM
Hi Tea & Coffee: 5 PM
Venue: CeNSE First Floor-MMCR
Abstract:
Helium-3 is a remarkable form of quantum matter that remains in the liquid state all the way down to absolute zero temperature due to its small atomic mass and weak interatomic interactions. When cooled to millikelvin temperatures, it becomes a superfluid, flowing without friction and exhibiting macroscopic quantum effects.
In this talk, I will first explain how such extremely low temperatures are achieved and how they are accurately measured in the laboratory. I will then discuss how the properties of superfluid helium-3 change under nanoscale confinement compared to the bulk. Confinement modifies the morphology of the bulk superfluid phases and can lead to the emergence of a new stable state between them.
Biography:
Dr. Vaisakh Vadakkumbatt completed his Integrated PhD in Physics at the Indian Institute of Science. After graduation, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Alberta. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. His research interests include the exploration of novel applications of quantum fluids and the development of ultra-low-temperature systems.
Host Faculty: Prof. Ambarish Ghosh
