We have investigated how helium atoms are distributed within a mixed $^3$He$_{ N_3}$-$^4$He$_{ N_4}$ large drop with $N_3 \gg N_4$. For drops doped with a SF$_6$ molecule or a Xe atom, we have found that the number of $^3$He atoms within the volume containing the first two solvation shells increases when $N_4$ decreases in a way such that these dopants may be in a superfluid environment for $N_4 \geq$ 60, which gradually disappears as $N_4$ decreases. The result is in qualitative agreement with recent experimental data.

Categories: cond-mat

The structure of large 3He-4He mixed drops around a dopant molecule