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Heating a dipolar quantum fluid into a solid
J Sánchez-Baena1,2, C Politi3,4, F Maucher5,6
1Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. jsbaena@phys.au.dk.
Nature Communications
|April 4, 2023
Summary
Heating ultracold dipolar quantum fluids can surprisingly create a supersolid state, breaking translational symmetry. This finding challenges conventional thermal phase transitions and opens new avenues in quantum fluid thermodynamics.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter physics
- Atomic physics
Background:
- Materials typically melt or vaporize when heated due to increased particle motion.
- Dipolar quantum fluids possess unique properties due to long-range dipole-dipole interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the finite-temperature behavior of dipolar quantum fluids.
- To explore deviations from standard thermal phase transition phenomenology.
- To understand the conditions leading to supersolid formation in these systems.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical study of the finite-temperature physics of dipolar quantum fluids.
- Analysis of phase transitions induced by temperature changes.
- Experimental observations using ultracold dysprosium atoms.
Main Results:
- Heating a dipolar superfluid can induce a phase transition to a supersolid state.
- This transition involves a spontaneous breaking of translational symmetry.
- The observed phenomenon deviates from typical melting or vaporization behavior.
Conclusions:
- Dipolar quantum fluids exhibit unusual thermal properties.
- The formation of a supersolid state via heating is a key finding.
- This research provides a platform for studying novel quantum thermodynamics.
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