The emergence of picokelvin physics. (26th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Xuzong; Fan, Bo
• Is Part Of: Reports on progress in physics. Volume 83:Number 7(2020:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-26
• Subjects: picokelvin (pK) -- laser cooling -- evaporative cooling -- delta kick cooling -- two-stage cooling -- atom chip -- full optical trap; Physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ab8ab6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-4885

Abstract

Abstract: The frontier of low-temperature physics has advanced to the mid-picokelvin (pK) regime but progress has come to a halt because of the problem of gravity. Ultracold atoms must be confined in some type of potential energy well: if the depth of the well is less than the energy an atom gains by falling through it, the atom escapes. This article reviews ultracold atom research, emphasizing the advances that carried the low-temperature frontier to 450 pK. We review microgravity methods for overcoming the gravitational limit to achieving lower temperatures using free-fall techniques such as a drop tower, sounding rocket, parabolic flight plane and the International Space Station. We describe two techniques that promise further advancement—an atom chip and an all-optical trap—and present recent experimental results. Basic research in new regimes of observation has generally led to scientific discoveries and new technologies that benefit society. We expect this to be the case as the low-temperature frontier advances and we propose some new opportunities for research.