General information
Project holder
Pitaevskii Center on Bose-Einstein Condensation (Pitaevskii BEC Centre)
Project objectives
The overall objective of the project was to progress in the understanding of the fundamental physics of quantum systems exhibiting macroscopic coherence effects and to develop innovative techniques of interest for applications to quantum science and technology.
Specifically, the experimental work aimed to exploit the unique features of our ultra-cold atom apparatus to carry out pioneering investigations on spinorial Bose-Einstein condensates and their application to the simulation of magnetic materials and phenomena related to quantum vacuum fluctuations.
In addition to providing regular support for the experiments, the theoretical work aimed to develop a unified conceptual framework that would encompass in an interdisciplinary manner both the cold-atom systems traditionally studied at the BEC Centre and new quantum systems such as photonic, nanomechanical and super- and semi-hybrid devices, and explore their potential applications to quantum communication, information and simulation.
State of the art and solutions to the problem and for achieving existing objectives prior to the project, and improvements introduced by the project
In previous periods, a unique experimental apparatus had been developed, whose magnetic stability made it possible to delve into unexplored regimes in which spinor condensates maintain coherence for macroscopically long times and can thus be used for quantum simulation.
The recruitment strategy pursued by the BEC Centre around 2020 has extended the spectrum of available theoretical expertise and offered the possibility of developing fruitful synergies between seemingly distinct fields of research.
Work organisation
The working group consists of an experimental and a theoretical team, both staffed by CNR-INO and UniTN personnel.
The permanent staff is joined by over 40 young researchers including undergraduates, doctoral students and post-docs, as well as international students on internships.
Close collaborations are in place with prestigious national and international institutions, as well as with industrial research groups such as Google-AI. Strong synergies are active locally with other Q@TN members, in particular with FBK on superconducting nanodevices.
Achievements
The close collaboration between theory and experiments has made it possible to set up an experimental platform at the Centre for Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) for the quantum simulation of many-body phenomena of magnetism and relaxation, closely related to the so-called false vacuum decay in cosmology.
The strong synergy between our traditional research in cold atoms and the new lines of research has led to fruitful interdisciplinary links and the conception of new experiments currently being carried out by our local and international collaborators, e.g. on light fluids in semi- and super-conducting platforms.
Impact
The considerable impact of our research in academia is evidenced by the prestigious journals and high bibliometric indices of our numerous publications, which confirm the BEC Centre's leading role within the international community.
Effective training activities make the BEC Centre an attractive location for young international students and researchers to carry out their dissertations and doctoral theses.
Collaborations with colleagues at Q@TN will foster the transfer of fundamental knowledge to potential applications, in particular to quantum technologies.
Goals
The overall objective of the project was to progress in understanding the fundamental physics of quantum systems exhibiting macroscopic coherence effects and to develop innovative techniques of interest for applications in quantum science and technology.
Start date
01/07/2021
End date
30/06/2024