What symmetry is broken in the superfluid state of helium-3?
Translational symmetry
Rotational symmetry
Reflective symmetry
Conservative symmetry
Answer
Rotational symmetry is broken in the superfluid state of helium-3. In this state, the atoms form pairs that rotate in a synchronized manner, creating a collective quantum state. This synchronized rotation breaks the rotational symmetry of the system, as the pairs can only rotate in specific directions and not in all possible directions.
Unlocking the Cold: The David Lee Nobel Quest
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