The article discusses the discovery and impact of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) by Eric Cornell, Carl Wieman, and Wolfgang Ketterle. BECs were first created in 1995 using laser and magnetic trapping, and have since become a key tool in ultracold gas research. The discovery has enabled new fields of study and unanticipated advances, with BECs now used as tools for studying superfluidity, quantum vortices, and the Casimir-Polder force.
BECs have also been used in quantum computing and quantum simulation research, with potential applications in solving complex problems and understanding materials like high-temperature superconductors. While BECs have not yet been commercialized, they hold promise for developing highly accurate instruments and navigation systems resistant to jamming.
The article highlights Cornell’s personal journey, including a major setback when he suffered necrotizing fasciitis and lost his left arm. Despite this, he has continued his research and is preparing experiments for an atomic physics lab to be launched to the International Space Station in 2017. Cornell emphasizes the importance of staying open to new connections and possibilities in physics research.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/nist-and-nobel/eric-cornell/prizes-legacy-eric-cornell
Keywords: Bose-Einstein condensate, ultracold gas research, quantum vortices, quantum computers, quantum simulators
