Evaporating Bose-Einstein Condensate
Most recent answer: 07/31/2010
Q:
I have read that Bose-Einstein condensations have been made out of several different elements. My question is, when they evaporate, if that is the right word, do they return to the original kinds of atoms they were formed from, or something else? Which ever the case, do we know why?
- Michael French
Napavine Wa
- Michael French
Napavine Wa
A:
They return to ordinary atoms. As in any quantum process, separate objects which had previously formed a collective state retain some subtle entanglement, although all symptoms of it quickly become lost due to interactions with the rest of the world.
Mike W.
Mike W.
(published on 07/31/2010)
Follow-Up #1: More on Bose-Einstein condnsates.
Q:
I mean, if you made a Bose-Einstein condensate from sodium atoms, would they return to sodium atoms? And if so, are the returning to the same atoms that they started from?
- Michael French
Napavine WA
- Michael French
Napavine WA
A:
Yep. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Thus, sodium atoms to sodium atoms.
LeeH
(published on 08/07/2010)