How Bose–Einstein condensates keep revealing weird physics

Look Better: Single Atoms in Chemistry and Single Atoms in Physics

“…Predicted in 1924–1925 by Bose and Einstein, the condensate was obtained by cooling a gas of 87 Rb atoms in gaseous state to 170 nK (Figure ) affording a state of matter in which the single atoms, losing their individuality, behave like one large superatom, analogous to what happens with photons becoming indistinguishable in a laser beam” …”

“…The discovery led to intense research activities focusing on the properties of ultracold atoms with implications for numerous application fields of condensed‐matter physics, such as superfluidity, superconductivity, and magnetism …”

“…[32] Predicted in 1924-1925 by Bose [33] and Einstein, [34] the condensate was obtained by cooling a gas of 87 Rb atoms in gaseous state to 170 nK ( Figure 2) affording a state of matter in which the single atoms, losing their individuality, behave like one large superatom, analogous to what happens with photons becoming indistinguishable in a laser beam". [35] The discovery led to intense research activities focusing on the properties of ultracold atoms with implications for numer-ous application fields of condensed-matter physics, such as superfluidity, superconductivity, and magnetism. [35] This single example shows how physicists think of single atoms: they are interested in controlling the quantum states and properties of single atoms, for example by identifying which mechanisms destroy the quantum properties of individual atoms by manipulating the magnetic state of a single Fe atom so as to avoid destructive interactions and improve the performance of magnetic quantum sensors consisting of a single atom.…”

“…[35] The discovery led to intense research activities focusing on the properties of ultracold atoms with implications for numer-ous application fields of condensed-matter physics, such as superfluidity, superconductivity, and magnetism. [35] This single example shows how physicists think of single atoms: they are interested in controlling the quantum states and properties of single atoms, for example by identifying which mechanisms destroy the quantum properties of individual atoms by manipulating the magnetic state of a single Fe atom so as to avoid destructive interactions and improve the performance of magnetic quantum sensors consisting of a single atom. [36] Incidentally, one might therefore ask why, if "physics is common sense, including that operative at the level of the atom", [30] do atoms follow the Bose-Einstein or the Fermi-Dirac statistics, and not the Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics followed by classical particles, showing that individual atoms do not behave as individuals in the traditional sense.…”

“…A practical insight into the difference of conceiving single atoms in chemistry and in physics reveals the conceptual foundations on chemistry whose poor awareness amidst chemists themselves originates the "variety of concerns suggestive of some underlying uncertainties and selfdoubts" reported by Heylin writing in 1998 about the need for chemistry to seek "a new contract with society". [44] Whereas physicists, in sight of applications to fields such as electronics, photonics, superfluidity, superconductivity, and magnetism, [35] look at single atoms as quantum particles seeking control of their quantum states and properties, chemists look at single atoms as chemical entities seeking control of their synthesis and stabilization in sight of chemical applications chiefly in catalysis for chemical synthesis or environmental remediation (for instance to break the strong bond between carbon and fluorine), [45] but also for chemical sensing. [46] In doing so, chemists borrow from physics concepts such as quantum mechanics theory, and tools like the transmission electron microscope, synchrotron radiation for advanced X-ray scattering, and many others adapting them to their need to eventually visualize single atoms in the context of their powerful molecular structure and reaction mechanism approach through which they created the cornucopia of new, artificial substances benefiting society at large.…”