Bose-Einstein condensate
quantum condensate, atomic condensates, matter-wave condensates, superatom state
A Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is an extreme aggregate state of a system of identical particles, in which the majority of the particles are in the same quantum mechanical state. This particular form of matter is created when bosons (particles with integer spin) are cooled to extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero, causing them to enter the same ground state and act as a kind of “superatom” or coherent quantum object.
These are macroscopic quantum objects, which are characterized by the fact that none of the individual atoms contained in them can be localized. The probability of encountering any atom at a given point is therefore the same everywhere within the condensate.
The state of a Bose-Einstein condensate can be described by a single wave function and exhibits properties such as superconductivity, superfluidity, or coherence over macroscopic distances.
BECs are created using laser cooling and subsequent evaporative cooling. They have played a significant role in quantum research, as they make it possible to observe and study quantum mechanical phenomena on a macroscopic scale.