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Were observed for the first time by a team of Spanish and Italian researchers droplets that fall apart in “quantum rain”, in a degenerate and ultra-cold fluid of Potassium and Rubidio isotopes.
This discovery makes a mysterious bridge between fluid dynamics and atomic gases.
“Our measurements not only contribute to the understanding of this exotic liquid phase, but also demonstrate the possibility of creating quantum droplets for future applications in quantum technologies,” says physicist Luca Cavicchioli, quoted by
When we see a vulgar rain fall, each net sphere is linked by a surface tension skin, which is merging into a “war of strength” of molecules known as Plateau-rayleigh instability.
But while oxygen and hydrogen atoms of water molecules are distinct systems of electrons and nuclear particles, the atoms of an ultra cold gas They lose any sense of identity.
Quantum droplets have already been seen and studied earlier, although their short existence made them difficult to study. This discovery was based on the observation of quantum droplets that persisted during dozens of milliseconds.
Freeing the quantum fluid on a channel called the wave guide that restricted the wave nature of the mixture, scientists found that several droplets were formed – a true “rain” of activity.
The goal is now to realize how quantum effects reflect daily phenomena, ensure the authors of the published in Physical Review Letters.
Quantum drop break dynamics in terms of hair instability, ”says Chiara Fort, physics at the University of Florence.“ Plateau-rayleigh instability is a common phenomenon in classic liquids, also observed in the superfluid helium, but not yet in atomic gases. ”
