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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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To: BenLurkin

a property known as quantum degeneracy.

I think my girlfriend’s father used this phrase once back in 1975...


21 posted on 06/11/2020 12:53:58 PM PDT by TalBlack
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To: TalBlack
a property known as quantum degeneracy.

Sounds a lot like this country.

22 posted on 06/11/2020 12:55:36 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: BenLurkin

Ok....

Now, even our quantums are degenerate.


23 posted on 06/11/2020 12:56:21 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and diamonds, and harder to find.)
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To: BenLurkin

Very cool!


24 posted on 06/11/2020 1:29:10 PM PDT by TBP (Progressives lack compassion and tolerance. Their self-aggrandizement is all that matters.)
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To: Pearls Before Swine

And then there’s Beyond the Standard Model (BSM), where you also get into all types of Antifa particles…

25 posted on 06/11/2020 1:42:32 PM PDT by mikrofon (Thorium Thursday BUMP)
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To: tet68

Bosons Are Matter


26 posted on 06/11/2020 2:29:45 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Bosons do matter.
If I could just get my hands on some.


27 posted on 06/11/2020 2:37:24 PM 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

And in Seattle anti-scientists tested to see if Black Living Matter (BLM) could be created using turbinium atoms cool to the nth degree...


28 posted on 06/11/2020 3:05:48 PM PDT by eldoradude (Boycott Chinese made goods)
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To: tet68

American Dad on Bosons.

Just remember, don’t hit Roger with Bosons.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=147&feature=emb_title&v=GfFKkp7jMPc


29 posted on 06/11/2020 3:40:57 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: 6SJ7; AdmSmith; AFPhys; Arkinsaw; allmost; aristotleman; autumnraine; bajabaja; ...
Thanks BenLurkin.


· List topics · post a topic · subscribe · Google ·

30 posted on 06/11/2020 9:33:52 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: Yo-Yo

There are even more states of matter! Degenerate matter which exists in White Dwarf stars, a very compact state of matter. The condition creates a new kind of chemical bond involving magnetism. There is even a paper out there somewhere of polymer chains of helium and hydrogen forming because of this. Then there is neutronium which is what neutron stars are made of. Smashed together so tight neutrons are all there is (neutrons normally decay in about 12 minutes). Finally whatever stuff a black hole is made of is the last state of matter any matter ever sees.


31 posted on 06/11/2020 10:29:35 PM PDT by Nateman (If the left is not screaming, you are doing it wrong.)
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To: dirtymac
...Do I just find the nearest Muslim and start giving him money until he tells me it is enough.

Demand money from him instead! Mozlems routinely enslaved whites back before Christian science left them in the dust!

32 posted on 06/11/2020 10:32:52 PM PDT by Nateman (If the left is not screaming, you are doing it wrong.)
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To: goldbux

* * *


33 posted on 06/11/2020 11:42:50 PM PDT by goldbux (No sufficiently rich interpreted language can represent its own semantics. -- Alfred Tarski, 1936)
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To: BenLurkin

Totally underrated movie!


34 posted on 06/12/2020 6:41:51 AM PDT by Paradox (Don't call them mainstream, there is nothing mainstream about the MSM.)
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To: BenLurkin

Early 20’s Milla Jovovich was indeed wow. Multipass.


35 posted on 06/12/2020 5:41:35 PM PDT by Impy (Thug Lives Splatter)
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To: FroggyTheGremlim; All
You have excellent taste, Froggy.

Bosoms can be elusive.

Sometimes they act like particles [with mass].

Other times they act like waves.

36 posted on 06/12/2020 6:00:02 PM PDT by goldbux (No sufficiently rich interpreted language can represent its own semantics. -- Alfred Tarski, 1936)
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To: tet68

Trapping bosoms against their will can get a guy in trouble.


37 posted on 06/12/2020 6:25:59 PM PDT by Rebelbase
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