The influence of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition on the decay of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen

Abstract

Using our microscopic theory of the two-dimensional dilute Bose gas, we confirm the conjecture by Kagan et al. that the rate constant for three-body recombination experiences a discontinuity at the critical temperature of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and calculate the reduction of the recombination rate as a function of temperature and density. Besides the jump in the adsorption isotherm, this effect is also an unambiguous signal for the achievement of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in spin-polarized atomic hydrogen adsorbed on a superfluid helium film.