Laser trap making new state of matter
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Laser trap making new state of matter
Laser trap used to make a new state of matter, the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC). Laser beams (red) enter the central glass container filled with rubidium atoms as vapour. The large dipole magnets (green, white arrows show field direction) and the smaller quadrupole magnets (blue) help confine the atoms. The laser beams are also used to cool the atoms by slowing them down. At about 180 nanoKelvin (billionths of a degree absolute), the quantum waves of each of the atoms spreads out and combines with others, forming a single quantum cloud. This first BEC was created at the NIST and the University of Colorado on 5 June 1995
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6273932
© NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST)/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Atoms Diagram Matter Mechanics Production Quantum Theory Macroscopic
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the groundbreaking technology of a laser trap being used to create a new state of matter known as the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC). The image depicts laser beams, represented by vibrant red hues, entering a central glass container filled with rubidium atoms in vapor form. To confine and manipulate these atoms, large dipole magnets are depicted in green, while smaller quadrupole magnets are shown in blue. The laser beams serve a dual purpose: not only do they slow down the atoms through cooling techniques but they also facilitate their combination with others. At an astonishingly low temperature of approximately 180 nanoKelvin (billionths of a degree absolute), each atom's quantum waves spread out and merge with neighboring atoms, forming what is referred to as a single quantum cloud. It was on June 5th, 1995 that this remarkable achievement took place at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado. This pioneering experiment marked the creation of the first-ever Bose-Einstein Condensate. By delving into macroscopic quantum states and exploring new frontiers within physics and mechanics, scientists have unlocked an entirely novel state of matter that defies traditional understanding. This awe-inspiring photograph encapsulates both scientific ingenuity and aesthetic beauty. It serves as a testament to humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge and our ability to push boundaries beyond conventional limits in order to unravel nature's deepest mysteries.
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