#Docs2 physics joints series

We have been doing prefatory experiments and calculations here on Earth. The Cold-Atom Lab (CAL) flying in the International Space Station (ISS) is where we will reach the lowest possible temperatures, and low densities, to do our studies of simple, yet intricate (think “snowflakes”) clusters of three or four atoms. A promising way to simplify is to study matter at lower temperature, and lower densities. Physics is the discipline that provides understanding of biology and chemistry at the most microscopic level, and the area within physics most relevant to chemistry and biology is “few-body physics.” It is an often neglected portion of physics, because it is so difficult to do! An important way to make progress is to simplify, simplify, simplify: to come up with model systems in which we can make progress that can later be applied to human-centric disciplines like biology, and develop exotic and useful new materials. Preliminary versions of both experiments will be done in a ground-based laboratory in order to establish the foundation for future flight-based experiments. Experiments (2) and (3) will benefit significantly from the longer expansion times and weaker traps possible in weightlessness. We will explore Quantum Hall physics in highly rotating Bose and Fermi gases. Many of the most exotic and unexplored predicted states of matter occur in the presence of very strong magnetic fields, for electrons, or high rates of rotation, for neutral particles. In ultra-cold atoms, the crossover is between a quantum liquid and a quantum gas. As interactions between atoms become stronger, there is a crossover between gas-phase and liquid behavior. (2) Bose gases with “infinite” interactions.

#Docs2 physics joints series

We propose a staged series of experiments, including (1) “first science” experiment, to be performed in the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) flying in the International Space Station (ISS) first-generation, to answer a question in few-body quantum physics that can’t be performed in a ground-based laboratory: how universal are the weakly bound clusters of three atoms known as Efimov trimers? In a weightless environment, experiments can be performed at very low densities and temperatures, the perfect conditions for these exotic but fragile quantum states to form. In some cases, experiments probing this so-called “quantum few-body and many-body physics” can be more readily accomplished in the weightless environment found in an orbiting laboratory.

NOTE: End date changed to per PI (Ed., 5/1/19)įuture advances in both technology and fundamental science will hinge on a better understanding of the weird effects of quantum mechanics on collections of electrons, atoms, molecules, and so on. Solicitation / Funding Source: 2013 Fundamental Physics NNH13ZTT002N (Cold Atom Laboratory-CAL) Grant/Contract No.: JPL 1502690 Project Type: FLIGHT Flight Program: ISS Responsible Center: NASA JPL Grant Monitor: Callas, John Center Contact: Unique ID: 9882