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Quantum matter orbits Earth

Exotic ultracold gases called Bose–Einstein condensates have been created on board the International Space Station. This feat is not only a technological landmark, but could also improve our understanding of fundamental physics.
  1. Maike D. Lachmann

    1. Maike D. Lachmann is at the Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hanover, Germany.

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  2. Ernst M. Rasel

    1. Ernst M. Rasel is at the Institute of Quantum Optics, QUEST-Leibniz Research School, Leibniz University Hannover, 30167 Hanover, Germany.

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States of matter known as Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) were first observed 25 years ago1,2. Since then, these quantum objects have become a key tool in the study of quantum physics, and they are routinely produced in hundreds of laboratories around the world. Writing in Nature, Aveline et al.3 report the generation of rubidium BECs aboard the International Space Station, which is in orbit around Earth. The condition of perpetual free fall on the station offers new methods for probing BECs and for making a wide range of high-precision measurements.

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Nature 582, 186-187 (2020)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-01653-6

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 17 June 2020: This article gave an incorrect definition of bosonic atoms. They should have been defined as atoms for which a quantum property known as spin is an integer.

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