Scientists at NIST and the University of Maryland have proposed a method to create a supersolid using ultracold gas atoms. A supersolid is a state of matter that exhibits properties of both solids and superfluids, such as regular atomic arrangements and frictionless flow.
The researchers suggest using two species of ultracold atoms confined in an optical lattice, a “web of light” that traps atoms in regular positions. They identified conditions where these atoms could spontaneously form a crystalline structure while maintaining superfluid properties.
This simpler supersolid system could provide insights into quantum materials with exotic properties, expanding our understanding of matter. The research builds on NIST’s pioneering work in optical lattices and Bose-Einstein condensation, with potential applications in fundamental measurements and improved sensors.
Keywords: Ultracold, Boson atoms, Supersolid, Quantum materials, Bose-Einstein condensate
