Improved First-Principles Calculation of the Third Virial Coefficient of Helium

Published

August 31, 2011

Author(s)

Giovanni Garberoglio, Michael R. Moldover, Allan H. Harvey

Abstract

We employ state-of-the-art pair and three-body potentials for helium to calculate its third density virial coefficient C(T) with uncertainties much smaller than those of the best experimental results, and approximately one-fourth the uncertainty of our previous work. We have extended our results in temperature down to 2.6 K, incorporating the effect of spin statistics which become important below approximately 7 K. Results are given for both the 3He and 4He isotopes. We have also calculated the third acoustic virial coefficient (gamma)a; our calculated values compare well with the limited experimental data available. A correlating equation for C(T) of 4He is presented; differentiation of this equation provides a reliable and simpler way of calculating (gamma)a.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

116

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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Keywords

acoustic virial coefficients, calibration, density, helium, metrology, thermodynamic properties, virial coefficients

Citation

Garberoglio, G. , Moldover, M. and Harvey, A. (2011), Improved First-Principles Calculation of the Third Virial Coefficient of Helium, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=907954 (Accessed October 18, 2025)