Friday, 21. November 2025 5:00 pm Can solids flow? Answers from magnetic quantum gases
Prof. Dr. Lauriane Chomaz, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg Can solids flow? Answers from magnetic quantum gases Prof. Dr. Lauriane Chomaz, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg Ultracold gases of highly magnetic atoms exhibit unique interaction properties that lead to striking collective behaviors [1]. Exotic states of matter have been discovered to form and stabilize themselves in regimes where these gases were originally predicted to be unstable. These states include ultradilute quantum droplets, quantum crystals, and most notably socalled supersolids, which combine the seemingly antithetical properties of a superfluid (where atoms are fully delocalized) and of a solid (where atoms tend to be localized at specific positions) [2]. After discussing the seminal observations of these states, to which I participated, and how they relied on the long-standing progress in the field, I will elaborate on our current understanding and present ongoing research on their topic, especially within my group at Heidelberg University, where we are currently exploring structural transitions between supersolid crystalline organizations. [1] L. Chomaz & al, Dipolar physics: a review of experiments with magnetic quantum gases, Reports on Progress in Physics 86, 026401 (2023) [2] L. Chomaz, Quantum-stabilized states in magnetic dipolar quantum gases, arXiv preprint arxiv:2504.06221 (2025)
