DYNAMX: A Low Temperature Microgravity Investigation of Phase Transitions

The Critical Dynamics in Microgravity Experiment, DYNAMX, will investigate the effects on the superfluid transition in 4He of currents generated by heat flow, measuring the thermal conductivity in the fluid as a function of applied heat. DYNAMX will also take advantage of the weightless environment to measure the conductivity properties in the region of the interface between the two phases. Thus, DYNAMX represents an experiment that will explore a system driven far from equilibrium. This paper will describe the science objectives, the current design of the experiment apparatus, the steps being taken to prepare this experiment for flight, and the results of ground-based feasibility demonstrations now underway.