What is Bose Eintein Condensate?

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In summary, Bose-Einstein condensate is a state of matter that occurs when a group of boson particles with integer spin are cooled to a very low temperature, causing them to all collapse into the lowest energy state. This results in the particles becoming still and quiet, unlike regular condensation. This is different from fermion particles with semi-integer spin, which cannot occupy the same quantum state and are therefore subject to the Pauli Exclusion Principle.
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blackwing1
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I am doing a project on bose Einstein condensate at school. Could someone please explain to me what it is in a easy to undertand way?I don't understand about the doppler shift part.:confused:
 
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  • #2
One of the possible clasification of the particles is according to its spins. If its spin is an integer, then we call it a 'boson' and the wavefunction that describes its behavior is symmetric. If its spin is a semi integer, then we call it a 'fermion' and its wavefunction is antisymmetric.

The first kind of particles doesn't obey Pauli Exclusion Principle (two particles can't be in the same individual quantum state) so them can stand in the same state.

When we cool a boson system under a characteristic temperature, the more energetic particles begin to 'fall' in the lowest energy state, to minimize its energy. If we continue cooling and cooling the system, then all the system will be in the lowest energy state.

Then, particles are quiet.

Condensation has not the same meaning that usual condensation. When we say that vapour condensates, we mean that it reduces its volume, then rises its density and so. In BEC, the particles can remain the same volume, the same density. But in BEC particles are quiet.
 
  • #3
Here's a site that helped me when encountered I BEC for the first time.

http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/bec/index.html
 
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  • #4
Thanks!

Thanks! Now I understand it way :rofl: better.
 

1. What is Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC)?

Bose-Einstein Condensate is a state of matter that occurs at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero (-273.15°C). It was first predicted by Albert Einstein and Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose in the 1920s.

2. How is BEC different from other states of matter?

BEC is different from other states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) because all the particles in BEC are in the same quantum state, meaning they behave as a single entity rather than individual particles.

3. What are the characteristics of BEC?

BEC has several unique characteristics, including superfluidity (the ability to flow without friction), coherence (all particles are in the same quantum state), and macroscopic quantum behavior (quantum effects on a large scale).

4. How is BEC created in the laboratory?

BEC is created by cooling a gas of bosonic particles (particles with integer spin) to a temperature close to absolute zero. This is achieved through a combination of laser cooling and evaporative cooling techniques.

5. What are the potential applications of BEC?

BEC has potential applications in fields such as precision measurements, quantum computing, and creating new states of matter. It also allows scientists to study quantum phenomena on a macroscopic scale, leading to a better understanding of the fundamental laws of physics.

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