Efimov 3-body theory experimentally proven

[turbo]

Efimov theorized an analog to the rings using particles: Three particles (such as atoms or protons or even quarks) could be bound together in a stable state, even though any two of them could not bind without the third. The physicist first proposed the idea, based on a mathematical proof, in 1970. Since then, no one has been able to demonstrate the phenomenon in the lab - until now.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091216/sc_livescience/strangephysicaltheoryprovedafternearly40years;_ylt=AkqB2UImPjRiYu5ibWcOgQys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTRxaGZvMDN0BGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMDkxMjE2L3N0cmFuZ2VwaHlzaWNhbHRoZW9yeXByb3ZlZGFmdGVybmVhcmx5NDB5ZWFycwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzgEcG9zAzUEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNzdHJhbmdlcGh5c2k-

 

[kote]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091216/sc_livescience/strangephysicaltheoryprovedafternearly40years;_ylt=AkqB2UImPjRiYu5ibWcOgQys0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTRxaGZvMDN0BGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMDkxMjE2L3N0cmFuZ2VwaHlzaWNhbHRoZW9yeXByb3ZlZGFmdGVybmVhcmx5NDB5ZWFycwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzgEcG9zAzUEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNzdHJhbmdlcGh5c2k-

That's pretty cool. "Experimental proof" is still one of my favorite fallacies, but it's cool nonetheless . Go science?

 

[turbo]

That's pretty cool. "Experimental proof" is still one of my favorite fallacies, but it's cool nonetheless . Go science?

Maybe "proof" is a strong word, but in this case, it may be justified because of another critical verification.

Efimov had calculated that the triplet of bound particles was possible, and that it was repeating: New bound states could be achieved at higher and higher energy levels in an infinite progression. All of the bound states would occur at energy levels that were multiples of 515.
To prove that they had really created the trios, called Efimov trimers, the researchers produced one set of three lithium atoms bound together, and then reproduced it with a binding energy 515 times the first one. (Essentially, binding energy indicates how tightly the particles hold onto one another and how much energy it would take to pull them apart.)
The researchers used a setup called a Feshbach resonance that allowed them to tweak the energy levels of their atoms. They found that when they hit multiples of 515, the particles would bind, but at other energies they wouldn't, proving that the trios really were Efimov trimers.

It's one thing to have general experimental verification of an idea, and another level entirely (IMO) to have quantified the concept, and have the quantification verified by experiment. That's pretty impressive.

 

[kote]

Maybe "proof" is a strong word, but in this case, it may be justified because of another critical verification.

It's one thing to have general experimental verification of an idea, and another level entirely (IMO) to have quantified the concept, and have the quantification verified by experiment. That's pretty impressive.

I am impressed. I do think it's pretty cool and is definitely good science. The experimental proof comment had nothing to do with the topic mentioned. I was just commenting on the wording (you weren't the only one to use it). It's that formal logic sequence they made me take in school. Sorry!

 

[mugaliens]

Well, alas... I did a thorough search on "Borromean" before posting my own previously scooped thread, https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=363862", but I guess that wasn't the operative word. <wry grin>