Standing Wave Pattern in Bose-Einstein Condensate
Pattern formation in a two-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate of Cesium atoms. When an oscillating magnetic field is applied to the atoms, a standing pattern spontaneously emerges. This reveals a powerful ability to control the arrangement of particles in a quantum system.
Image taken by: Zhendong Zhang, Kai-Xuan Yao, Lei Feng and Jiazhong Hu.
Thermophoresis of Floating Ice Particles
Millions of fine ice crystals float gracefully in the temperature gradient between a cold and a hot plate. The dynamics of the ice particles are driven by thermophoresis, which describes complex atmospheric phenomena in nature. This thermophoretic force may be used to suspend microscopic to macroscopic particles in mid-air.
Image taken by: Jeffrey Wang and Maire Buclez during their summer research.
Atoms in a Hexagonal Optical Lattice
Individual supercooled atoms trapped in an optical lattice. Each bright spot is a single Cesium atom. The atoms are trapped in the hexagonal lattice, formed by three overlapping laser beams. The loading process leaves some lattice sites empty. This system allows for the precise simulation of many-body physics.
Image taken by: Lauren Weiss, Mingjiamei Zhang and Evan Yamaguchi.