We report the first observation of the polar phase of superfluid (3)He. This phase appears in (3)He confined in a new type of aerogel with a nearly parallel arrangement of strands which play the role of ordered impurities. Our experiments qualitatively agree with theoretical predictions and suggest that in other systems with unconventional Cooper pairing (e.g., in unconventional superconductors) similar phenomena may be found in the presence of anisotropic impurities.

We report results of spin diffusion measurements in normal phase of liquid 3 He confined in nafen. Nafen is a new type of aerogel and it consists of Al2O3 strands which are nearly parallel to one another at macroscopic distances. We examine two samples of nafen with different porosities using spin echo techniques. Spin diffusion of 3 He along and across the strands was measured. The aerogel alignment is clearly evident from observed spin diffusion anisotropy. A theory describing this effect is developed and compared with the experiment.

The microstructure, specific area, and mechanical properties of various samples of "nematically ordered" aerogels whose strands are almost parallel to each other at macroscopic distances have been studied. The strong anisotropy of such aerogels distinguishes them from standard aerogels, which are synthesized by solgel technology, and opens new possibilities for physical experiments.