Probing the dynamics of ³He adsorbed on MCM-41 with NMR

A one dimensional quantum gas can be realized by confining ³He atoms in certain 1D nano-channels. Previously, researchers examined the dynamics of ³He atoms adsorbed on the surface of the pores of mesaporous materials such as MCM-41 and FSM due to their unique cylindrical pore shapes. Interesting 1D signatures were disclosed through nuclear susceptibility and nuclear relaxometry measurements. However to explore the behavior of a neutral Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid as predicted by theory, the sample has to be cooled down to much lower temperatures. In this preliminary experimental study, we measured the nuclear susceptibility, the spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) and spin-spin relaxation times (T₂) of a single layer ³He adsorbed in MCM-41 over a broad temperature range of 0.03-2.5 K. Our results show both quantum solid and 1D Fermi gas behavior of the ³He.