Bose Einstein Condensates (BECs) have been around for more than 20 years now. One of the best applications of the BEC, it turns out, is as a tool to explore other quantum things, like solids—yes, the properties of solids are determined by quantum mechanics.
Among those solids is a controversial and possibly nonexistent theoretical one: the supersolid. Now, a pair of theoretical physicists have shown that a recently observed BEC “droplet” state may be a way to create a supersolid-like material. That may lead to a way to explore the properties of a supersolid without the difficulties associated with conventional materials.
Bose Einstein condensates
A BEC is a state of matter that requires a specific type of particle. Essentially, the particle world is divided in two: you are either a fermion or a boson. Fermions don’t like each other, so they stack themselves in order of energy, from low to high. Any two fermions that are within touching distance of each other must be different. That might mean different energies, or different spins, or some other property, but they must be different. Pretty much everything is made of fermions, and this stacking is what makes the Universe the way it is.
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