Vibrating Wire Viscometer

The damping of transverse vibrations of a wire in a viscous fluid is the basis for a viscometer of high precision and versatility. A solution to the hydrodynamic problem is indicated, and shown to be valid for a wide range of physical parameters. The device is simple in operation and design, adaptable to various decay constant measuring techniques, and requires only a small volume of sample fluid. The viscosity of liquid helium II between 1.10°K and the lambda point has been measured with this technique, and shows a mean scatter of about 2%. This technique is particularly appropriate for fluids of low viscosity.