Moment of inertia of a trapped superfluid gas of atomic fermions

Abstract

The moment of inertia Θ of a trapped superfluid gas of atomic fermions [Formula Presented] is calculated as a function of the temperature. At zero temperature the moment of inertia takes on the irrotational-flow value. Only for T very close to [Formula Presented] is rigid rotation attained. It is proposed that future measurements of the rotational energy will unambiguously reveal whether the system is in a superfluid state or not. © 2000 The American Physical Society.