coldatomlab

Latest

  • NASA/JPL-Caltech

    NASA will create coldest place in the universe to study quantum physics

    by 
    Jon Fingas
    Jon Fingas
    05.21.2018

    It's hard to study quantum behavior on Earth. You can amplify the effects of quantum mechanics by zapping groups of specific atoms (Bose-Einstein condensates) with lasers that drop their temperature to near absolute zero, but that only works for fractions of a second before gravity invariably takes over. NASA's solution? Create the coldest known place in the universe. The agency just launched the Cold Atom Lab, a box that takes advantage of microgravity aboard the International Space Station to keep condensates in that ideal state for much longer.