In the last few days, a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of Dysprosium atoms has been observed in the laboratories of the Pisa section of CNR-INO. This is the first time that in Italy a strongly magnetic atom has been brought to quantum degeneracy.
A Dy BEC is an excellent system to study complex phenomena in different domains through the quantum simulation as well as to realize new and unexplored states of matter. In particular, Dysprosium allows studies of long-range interacting systems and quantum phases thanks to the strong interaction among atomic magnetic dipoles.
This experiment is the result of an intense collaboration between the LENS (University of Florence - INO Sesto) and the Pisa section of CNR-INO.