Viscoelasticity of Xenon Near the Critical Point

Published

February 1, 1999

Author(s)

Robert F. Berg, Michael R. Moldover, G A. Zimmerli

Abstract

Using a novel, overdamped, oscillator flown aboard the Space Shuttle, we measured the viscosity of xenon near the liquid-vapor critical point in the frequency range 2 Hz [less than or equal to} f {less than or equal to} 12 Hz. The measured viscosity divergence is characterized by the exponent z_Η = 0.0690 ± 0.0006, in agreement with the value z_Η = 0.067 + 0.002 calculated from a two-loop perturbation expansion. Viscoelastic behavior was evident when t = (T - T_c)/T_c-5 and dominant when t -6, further from T_c than predicted. Viscoelastic behavior scales as Afτ where τ is the fluctuation-decay time. The measured value of A is 2.0 + 0.3 times the result of a one-loop calculation. (Uncertainties stated are one standard uncertainty.)

Citation

Physical Review Letters

Volume

82

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

critical exponents, critical point, transport properties, viscoelasticity, viscosity, xenon

Citation

Berg, R. , Moldover, M. and Zimmerli, G. (1999), Viscoelasticity of Xenon Near the Critical Point, Physical Review Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=831516 (Accessed October 11, 2025)