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Lasers Pin Atoms in Order

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INNSBRUCK, Austria, July 29, 2010 — A fundamental physical phenomena, whereby an arbitrarily weak perturbation causes atoms to build an organized structure from an initially unorganized one, has been demonstrated for the first time. Physicists can observe quantum mechanical phase transitions using ultracold atoms (yellow) in optical lattices (white surface). Originally, the existence of phase transitions was predicted for certain metals and they describe the transition from a conductor to an insulator. For weak interactions the particles are spread out over the lattice in a superfluid state (front); a deep lattice...Read full article

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    Published: July 2010
    Glossary
    bose-einstein condensate
    A Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter that forms at temperatures close to absolute zero. It is named after Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein, who independently predicted the existence of such a state in the 1920s. BEC is a unique and fascinating form of matter that exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena. In a Bose-Einstein condensate, some key factors to consider are: Temperature: BEC forms at extremely low temperatures, typically in the nanokelvin (billionths of a...
    optical lattice
    A periodic structure formed by intersecting or superimposed laser beams. These beams can trap atoms in low-potential regions, forming a pattern of atoms resembling the structure of a crystal.
    atomsAustriaAustrian Science FundBasic ScienceBose-Einstein condensatecesium atomscondensed matter physicsElmar HallarEuropeEuropean Science FoundationEuropean Union researchHanns-Christoph NägerlHans Peter BüchleLight Sourcesoptical latticeOpticsquantum latticequantum wiresResearch & Technologysingle atomsultracold quantum gasesUniversity of InnsbruckWilhelm ZwergerLasersLEDs

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