What Mott Insulators, Wedding Cakes And Quantum Transitions Have In Common

Transitions are exciting because at temperatures close to absolute zero the transition from one quantum phase to another can provide a deeper understanding of fundamental laws of the universe.  A team of scientists at the University of Chicago has created the first direct images of the transition between phases of ultracold cesium gas, as it changes from normal to superfluid to Mott insulator, making it possible to 'see' the phenomenon as it happens.    The most striking visual feature of this phase transition?  A many-layered wedding cake structure. read more

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