Positions of atoms at super cold temp

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In summary, researchers have found that by cooling atoms to ultracold temperatures, they can study how they form unique states of matter like superfluids, superconductors, and quantum magnets. This was demonstrated in a recent paper published in Science, where scientists observed spatial charge and spin correlations in the 2D Fermi-Hubbard model.
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wolram
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I thought this was an interesting paper, good enough to share

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160915162930.htm

September 15, 2016
Source:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Summary:
If you bottle up a gas and try to image its atoms using today's most powerful microscopes, you will see little more than a shadowy blur. Atoms zip around at lightning speeds and are difficult to pin down at ambient temperatures. If, however, these atoms are plunged to ultracold temperatures, they slow to a crawl, and scientists can start to study how they can form exotic states of matter, such as superfluids, superconductors, and quantum magnets.
 
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The actual paper is
  1. L. W. Cheuk, M. A. Nichols, K. R. Lawrence, M. Okan, H. Zhang, E. Khatami, N. Trivedi, T. Paiva, M. Rigol, M. W. Zwierlein. Observation of spatial charge and spin correlations in the 2D Fermi-Hubbard model. Science, 2016; 353 (6305): 1260 DOI: 10.1126/science.aag3349
 

Related to Positions of atoms at super cold temp

1. What is super cold temperature and how is it achieved in a scientific setting?

Super cold temperature refers to extremely low temperatures, usually near or below absolute zero (-273.15°C or 0K). In a scientific setting, this temperature can be achieved through various methods such as using specialized refrigeration equipment, cooling gases or liquids with cryogenic materials, or using laser cooling techniques.

2. How do the positions of atoms change at super cold temperatures?

At super cold temperatures, the motion of atoms slows down significantly due to the decrease in thermal energy. This allows them to arrange themselves in more orderly structures, such as crystalline formations. Additionally, at these temperatures, quantum effects become more prominent, leading to unique atomic arrangements.

3. Can atoms be completely still at super cold temperatures?

No, even at super cold temperatures, atoms still possess a small amount of kinetic energy and will continue to vibrate and move. However, this movement is greatly reduced compared to higher temperatures.

4. What are some practical applications of studying the positions of atoms at super cold temperatures?

Studying the positions of atoms at super cold temperatures can provide valuable insight into the properties and behavior of materials and molecules. This information can be applied in fields such as materials science, quantum computing, and superconductivity research.

5. Is it possible to reach absolute zero and have all atomic motion cease?

According to the third law of thermodynamics, it is impossible to reach absolute zero and have all atomic motion cease. This is because even at absolute zero, atoms still possess a fundamental energy called zero-point energy. However, reaching temperatures very close to absolute zero can allow for the study of unique atomic structures and properties.

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