Liquid–vapour spinodal of pure helium 4

Unlike gases, liquids can be overheated or stretched only up to a limit. The determination of the mean-field thermodynamic stability limit—the so-called spinodal—is a very difficult theoretical and a more-or-less impossible experimental task. Based on a recent semi-empirical method, the spinodal pressure of helium-4 at given temperature is determined, using liquid–vapour surface tension, interface thickness and vapour pressure data.