B E C
The New Phase of Matter
A new phase of matter has been discovered seventy years after Albert Einstein predicted
it's existence. In this new state of matter, atoms do not move around like they would in
an ordinary gas condensate. The atoms move in lock step with one another and have
identical quantum properties. This will make it easier for physicists to research the
mysterious properties of quantum mechanics. It was named "Molecule of the Year" because
it was such a major discovery, but it is not a molecule at all. The phase, called the
Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) follows the laws of quantum physics.
In early 1995, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the
University of Colorado were the first to uncover the BEC. They magnetically trapped
rubidium atoms and then supercooled the atoms to almost absolute zero. The graphic on
the cover shows the Bose-Einstien condensation, where the atom's velocities peak at close
to zero velocity, and the atoms slowly emerge from the condensate. The atoms were slowed
to the low velocity by using laser beams. The hardware needed to create the BEC is a
bargain at $50,000 to $1000,000 which makes it accessible to physics labs around the
world.
The next step is to test the new phase of matter. We do not know yet if it absorbs,
reflects,or refracts light. BEC is related to superconductivity and may unlock some
mysteries of why some minerals are able to conduct electricity without resistance. The
asymmetrical pattern of BEC is is thought by some astrophysicists to explain the bumpy
distribution of matter in the early universe, a distribution that eventually led to the
formation of galaxies. Physicists are working on creating an atom laser, using new
technology derived from the BEC. The new lasers would be able to create etchings finer
than those that etch silicon chips today.
The discovery of BEC has prompted a lot of research of the new phase. BEC is expected
to yield benefits to industry and society. I expect that large businesses will take
advantage of the new technology and start making products using the technology. This
will probably be in the form of the atom lasers BEC is expected to make possible. The
lasers might be used for laser surgery, or any application where lasers are used today.
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