B E C: The New Phase Of Matter :: essays research papers

B E C The New Phase of Matter     A naked as a jaybird phase of publication has been discovered seventy years after AlbertEinstein predicted its existence. In this new state of theme, atoms do notmove around like they would in an mine run gas condensate. The atoms move inlock step with one another and have identical quantum properties. This willmake it easier for physicists to research the mysterious properties of quantummechanics. It was named "Molecule of the course of instruction" because it was such a majordiscovery, but it is not a molecule at all. The phase, called the Bose-Einsteincondensate (BEC) follows the laws of quantum physics.     In early 1995, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and technology and the University of Colorado were the first to uncover the BEC.They magnetically trapped rubidium atoms and then supercooled the atoms toalmost absolute zero. The graphic on the cover shows the Bose-Einstienco ndensation, where the atoms velocities peak at scrawny to zero velocity, andthe atoms slowly emerge from the condensate. The atoms were slowed to the lowvelocity by using laser beams. The hardware needed to create the BEC is abargain at $50,000 to $1000,000 which makes it brotherly to physics labs aroundthe world.     The next step is to test the new phase of matter. We do not know yet ifit absorbs, reflects,or refracts light. BEC is related to superconductivity andmay unlock approximately mysteries of why some minerals are able to conduct electricitywithout resistance. The asymmetrical pattern of BEC is is thought by someastrophysicists to explain the bumpy distribution of matter in the earlyuniverse, a distribution that eventually led to the formation of galaxies.Physicists are working on creating an atom laser, using new technology derivedfrom the BEC. The new lasers would be able to create etchings finer than thosethat etch silicon chips today.