Spin polarized 3He: a ''new'' quantum fluid

The physical properties of a 3He fluid are studied, in which all nuclear spins are parallel to each other (fully polarized 3He). At low temperatures, significant differences can exist between this polarized fluid and normal 3He. The origin of these differences is purely quantum mechanical and arises from the Pauli exclusion principle. At low densities, only the transport properties of the gas are modified. At higher densities. The equilibrium properties (virial coefficients) are also changed by the nuclear polarization. Changes of the liquid-vapour or liquid-solid equilibrium pressures, as well as modifications of the 3He-4He mixture phase diagram are predicted. This article gives a preliminary theoretical study of these new effects. Experimental prospects are briefly discussed