Atomic Physics

Researchers have devised a method to accurately measure an atom’s three-dimensional position with a single image, revolutionizing quantum mechanics experiments and material development by facilitating precise atom manipulation and tracking.The method developed at the Universities of Bonn and Bristol uses an ingenious physical principle.For over ten years, physicists have been able to pinpoint the exact positions of individual atoms with a precision finer than one-thousandth of a millimeter using a specialized microscope.…

The Compton polarimeter’s laser system, used to measure the parallel spin of electrons, is aligned during the Calcium Radius Experiment at Jefferson Lab. Credit: Jefferson Lab photo/Dave GaskellMeasurement of electron beam polarization is sharpest ever reported, sets stage for future flagship experiments at Jefferson Lab.Scientists are getting a more detailed look than ever before at the electrons they use in precision experiments.Nuclear physicists with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National…

Collisions of heavy ions generate an immensely strong electromagnetic field. Scientists investigate traces of this powerful electromagnetic field in the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state where quarks and gluons are liberated from the colliding protons and neutrons. Credit: Tiffany Bowman and Jen Abramowitz/Brookhaven National LaboratoryData from heavy ion collisions give new insight into electromagnetic properties of quark-gluon plasma.A new analysis by the STAR collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC),…

Scientists have made a significant advancement in the field of quantum physics by producing a time crystal with a lifespan millions of times longer than previously achieved. This discovery validates the theoretical prediction of time crystals made by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek in 2012, demonstrating periodic behavior in a system without periodic external influence.Researchers have successfully extended the lifespan of time crystals, confirming a theoretical concept proposed by Frank Wilczek. This marks a significant…

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have achieved a scientific breakthrough by trapping krypton atoms inside carbon nanotubes, creating a one-dimensional gas. This was accomplished using advanced transmission electron microscopy, revealing insights into atomic behavior and interatomic forces. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comScientists trap krypton atoms in carbon nanotubes, forming a one-dimensional gas and offering new insights into atomic behavior and molecular forces.For the first time, scientists…

Emission of a single photon in the Maxwell fish-eye lens. Credit: Oliver Diekmann (TU Wien)Scientists have developed “quantum ping-pong”: Using a special lens, two atoms can be made to bounce a single photon back and forth with high precision.Atoms can absorb and reemit light — this is an everyday phenomenon. In most cases, however, an atom emits a light particle in all possible directions — recapturing this photon is therefore quite hard.A research team from TU Wien in Vienna (Austria) has now been able to demonstrate…

By U.S. Department of Energy January 13, 2024Innovations at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility have shown that magnetic perturbations can enhance plasma confinement in tokamaks, increasing fusion efficiency. This breakthrough provides a new approach to managing plasma instabilities like ELMs, crucial for the development of efficient and safe fusion power plants. Credit: SciTechDaily.comPerturbing the edge magnetic field of a tokamak produces a counterintuitive response: particles entering the confined region rather than…

By U.S. Department of Energy January 11, 2024FRIB, a pioneering nuclear research facility at Michigan State University, has significantly advanced our understanding of atomic nuclei by producing over 210 rare isotopes since its inception in 2022. Its state-of-the-art equipment allows for comprehensive experiments in nuclear physics, contributing to global scientific collaboration and innovation. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comDepartment of Energy user facility helps probe questions from changes in the…

By U.S. Department of Energy January 2, 2024Researchers have unraveled the complex structure of the carbon-12 nucleus, revealing that its lower energy states consist of clusters forming triangular shapes. This discovery by an international collaboration enhances our understanding of carbon’s formation in the Universe and aligns with existing experimental data. Credit: SciTechDaily.comAn international study has revealed the triangular cluster structures within the carbon-12 nucleus, offering key insights into the origins…

By U.S. Department of Energy January 1, 2024Representation of nuclear matter on the left and of quark matter on the right. The question mark alludes to the question of whether these liquids can be distinguished in a theoretically rigorous manner. Credit: Institute of Modern Physics and Srimoyee Sen, Iowa State UniversityMatter inside neutron stars can have different forms: a dense liquid of nucleons or a dense liquid of quarks.Recent studies reveal that in neutron stars, quark liquids are fundamentally different from…