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Quantum 'fifth state of matter' observed in space for first time
phys.org ^ | 06/11/2020 | by Patrick Galey

Posted on 06/11/2020 11:30:54 AM PDT by BenLurkin

Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs)—the existence of which was predicted by Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Satyendra Nath Bose almost a century ago—are formed when atoms of certain elements are cooled to near absolute zero (0 Kelvin, minus 273.15 Celsius).

At this point, the atoms become a single entity with quantum properties, wherein each particle also functions as a wave of matter.

BECs straddle the line between the macroscopic world governed by forces such as gravity and the microscopic plane, ruled by quantum mechanics.

Creating the fifth state of matter, especially within the physical confines of a space station, is no mean feat.

First, bosons—atoms that have an equal number of protons and electrons—are cooled to near absolute zero using lasers to clamp them in place.

The slower the atoms move around, the cooler they become.

As they lose heat, a magnetic field is introducedto keep them from moving and each particle's wave expands. Cramming many bosons into a microscopic "trap" that causes their waves to overlap into a single matter wave—a property known as quantum degeneracy.

The second the magnetic trap is released in order for scientists to study the condensate, however, the atoms begin to repel each other, causing the cloud to fly apart and the BEC to becomes too dilute to detect.

Thompson and the team realized that the microgravity on board the ISS allowed them to create BECs from rubidium—a soft metal similar to potassium—on a far shallower trap than on Earth. This accounted for the vastly increased time the condensate could be studied before diffusing.

(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: alberteinstein; iss; matter; microgravity; nasa; rubidium; satyendranathbose; science; stringtheory
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1 posted on 06/11/2020 11:30:54 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: SunkenCiv

2 posted on 06/11/2020 11:31:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of And justfact. It is either opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: All

So, we’re trapping bosons against their will? Doesn’t that break the InterGalactic Treaty?


3 posted on 06/11/2020 11:33:51 AM PDT by BipolarBob (If God says all lives matters, that settles it.)
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To: BenLurkin

Will they name it the ‘BLM Factor’? Will it be made to apologize for, whatever?


4 posted on 06/11/2020 11:34:29 AM PDT by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: BipolarBob

BLM — Boson Lifetimes Matter


5 posted on 06/11/2020 11:37:32 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: rktman; All

“Bosons Lives Matter” I want to paint it on the street in front of the White House.


6 posted on 06/11/2020 11:38:34 AM PDT by notdownwidems (Washington D.C. has become the enemy of free people everywhere!)
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To: BipolarBob

I am sorry but Bosons are not named after an African-American, so any mention of them is hereby banned!


7 posted on 06/11/2020 11:39:26 AM PDT by cgbg (Kneeling is a half measure--lefties need to dig a six foot hole and bury themselves in it.)
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To: BenLurkin

I still wanna get me some of that “Dark Matter” and “Dark Energy” to keep in a sealed glass container for my collection. Scientists claim the universe is full of that stuff but can’t seem to find any of it, anywhere!


8 posted on 06/11/2020 11:39:54 AM PDT by BillyBoy ('States Rights' is NOT a suicide pact.)
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To: BenLurkin

A fifth state? I just finally got my head wrapped around matter having a fourth state - plasma.


9 posted on 06/11/2020 11:42:09 AM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: BenLurkin

First, bosons—atoms that have an equal number of protons and electrons...

That doesn’t seem quite right.

So what did they discover with the extra study time. Does it justify the cost of the space station, the most expensive object ever built?


10 posted on 06/11/2020 11:45:39 AM PDT by Moonman62 (http://www.freerepublic.com/~moonman62/)
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To: BipolarBob

See what the Torchwood Institute has on file regarding treaties.


11 posted on 06/11/2020 11:47:06 AM PDT by wally_bert (Transmission tone, Selma.)
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To: BipolarBob

So, we’re trapping bosons against their will?
Well most of the time they like it but sometimes
it takes a little while till they warm up.


12 posted on 06/11/2020 11:50:57 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: BenLurkin

Hmmm, “quantum degeneracy”, I like the sound of that!


13 posted on 06/11/2020 12:08:12 PM PDT by skepsel (I miss William F. Buckley and the old Firing Line)
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To: BenLurkin

That explains everything!


14 posted on 06/11/2020 12:09:16 PM PDT by I want the USA back (Never forget Justine Damond, murdered by a NON-WHITE, NON-CHRISTIAN cop. (Oh, and no riots))
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To: BipolarBob

I like bosoms.


15 posted on 06/11/2020 12:13:51 PM PDT by FroggyTheGremlim (Aiyee Tila, she is a big one!)
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To: Yo-Yo

Matherhorn Project - free energy. (Princeton circa 1950’s).


16 posted on 06/11/2020 12:16:29 PM PDT by jamaksin
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To: FroggyTheGremlim
I like bosoms.

They don't even have to be big bosoms for me!
17 posted on 06/11/2020 12:16:34 PM PDT by Karma_Sherab
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To: BillyBoy

isn’t “Dark” matter and “Dark” energy racist of the very front end of this conversation. Worse would be to name them “White” matter and “White” energy thereby establishing white privilege.

I am very confused on how we are to communicate any more

In the 1200 hundreds one of my ancestors was a knight that went to the Holy Land to repel the Muslims that were killing, raping and pillaging all of the Christians throughout the now Middle East.
I know I am supposed to apologize to the Muslims for protecting the original inhabitants of the area and their Christian faith. He undoubtedly killed some Muslims in the process.

Am I now of the hook for paying for reparations to somebody for his heinous acts. Do I just find the nearest Muslim and start giving him money until he tells me it is enough.

Or is it time to start fighting back. If only the Jews of Germany had guns. May have been a different story.


18 posted on 06/11/2020 12:21:18 PM PDT by dirtymac (Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.(DT4POTUS))
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To: jamaksin

Fusion isn’t “free energy”.


19 posted on 06/11/2020 12:40:46 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: BenLurkin

Q: How broken is “popular” science?

A: Quatum and State appearing in a fashion that implies anything other than superposition.


20 posted on 06/11/2020 12:43:20 PM PDT by BereanBrain (qu)
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