April 18, 2007

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A new method has been developed to directly, and precisely, measure a quantum property of individual atoms--the phase shifts that result when atoms collide at ultracold temperatures--in a way that is independent of the accuracy-limiting density of the atoms. These shifts are important for improving atomic clocks and other areas of contemporary atomic physics, including research on super-sensitive atom lasers and high-temperature superconductivity. Full Story

Source
The Pennsylvania State University

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