Bose-Einstein condensates, cold atomic gases and quantum fluids
Since the experimental realization of BEC in 1995 the study of ultracold
atomic gases has become a wide and fascinating field of physics involving
hundreds of researchers in many laboratories around the world.
This field lies at the heart of quantum mechanics and has grown along with
many developments of high interdisciplinary value. It benefits from the
large variety of atomic species which can be used to reach the quantum
degenerate regime and from all techniques available for manipulating atoms
with light, and with electric and magnetic forces.
The investigation of atomic quantum gases opens new horizons for both
fundamental and applied research, starting from the basic laws which
govern systems made of few or many particles, and leading to quantum
control, interferometry, precise measurements, quantum simulations, etc..
The physics of Bose-Einstein condensates and ultracold gases represents
a nice example of scientific research characterized by experimentalists
and theorists working side by side, making progresses as a result of
fruitful collaborations.
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