Trapped Fermi gases as models of strongly interacting matter

这个实验研究项目探索了一种光学捕获的、强相互作用的锂-6原子费米气体，作为自然界中奇异的、强相互作用物质的模型。原子间的吸引力或排斥力的强度很容易通过磁场来调节，这使得对无法直接测量的核物质的预测进行严格的桌面测试成为可能。该项目的一个主要目标是测量量子粘度，这将使最近关于强相互作用“近乎完美”流体的最小粘度的弦理论猜想得以测试。这个实验项目提供了前所未有的机会来测试跨越学科界限的最先进的理论技术，从材料科学的高温超导体，到早期宇宙大爆炸期间存在的夸克-胶子等离子体的物理学。这些实验在帮助确定是否有可能制造出远高于室温的超高温超导体方面具有实际影响。这些材料将使节能电力线和磁悬浮列车成为可能。实验数据提供给几个国家的凝聚态物质和核理论家，包括美国、德国、中国和澳大利亚。此外，PI是海德堡基尔霍夫物理研究所发起的国际联盟的一部分，该联盟将费米气体与高能物理联系起来。该研究项目还将为本科生、研究生和博士后提供一个学习环境，他们作为一个团队来设计、构建和执行新的实验，然后对结果进行理论分析。团队成员参与项目的各个方面，并有机会撰写和发表论文，并在会议上发表演讲。

This experimental research program explores an optically-trapped, strongly interacting Fermi gas of lithium-6 atoms as a model for exotic, strongly interacting matter in nature. The strength of the attraction or repulsion between the atoms is easily tuned using a magnetic field, enabling stringent tabletop tests of predictions for nuclear matter, which is not accessible to direct measurement. A primary goal of the program is the measurement of quantum viscosity, which will enable a test of a recent string theory conjecture on the minimum viscosity of strongly interacting "nearly perfect" fluids. The experimental program offers unprecedented opportunities to test state-of-the-art theoretical techniques that cross disciplinary boundaries, from high temperature superconductors in materials science, to the physics of the quark-gluon plasma that existed during the Big Bang of the early universe. The experiments have practical impact in helping to determine whether it is possible to create super-high temperature superconductors that operate far above room temperature?materials that would enable energy-saving power lines and magnetically levitated trains. Data from the experiments are provided to condensed matter and nuclear theorists in several countries, including the United States, Germany, China, and Australia. Further, the PI is part of an International Alliance started at the Kirchhoff Institute for Physics in Heidelberg, which connects Fermi gases to high energy physics. The research program will also serve as a learning environment for undergraduate students, graduate students, and post doctoral associates who work as a team to devise, construct, and perform new experiments and then to theoretically analyze the results. Members of the team are engaged in all aspects of the program, and have the opportunity to write and present papers and to give talks at conferences.