THE SURFACE-TENSION OF LIQUID-HE-3 ABOVE 200 MK - A DENSITY FUNCTIONAL-APPROACH

Using a density-functional approach, we have studied the liquid-gas equilibrium of unpolarized3He for temperatures above 200 mK. The free energy density, which depends on the particle density and temperature, has been adjusted to reproduce the liquid density and vapor pressure along the liquid-gas coexistence line, as well as the zero temperature surface tension. After achieving a fairly good description of the phase transition, the experimental temperature dependence of the surface tension is well reproduced. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation.