Dipolar Quantum Gases
Researching ultracold atoms: Dipolar interactions and quantum technologies
Our group studies dipolar quantum gases of erbium (Er) and dysprosium (Dy) atoms. These exceptionally magnetic elements are a promising new resource for quantum simulations with strong connectivity, where each atom is coupled to others over large distances. This allows us to explore exotic phases of matter that have no equivalent in classical physics.
Our research interests include:
- Supersolidity: the creation and study of a new phase of matter, known as supersolid, which has been predicted to exist in the core of a neutron star.
- Quantum simulation: using the intrinsic properties of erbium and dysprosium to emulate the physics of complex matter in a controllable way.
- Fundamental properties of ultracold atoms: exploring and mastering new dimensions of dipolar atoms, including their dipole-dipole interactions, spin polarizations and light-atom coupling.
Francesca Ferlaino
Professor of Experimental Physics
PhD 2004, LENS and University of Florence, Italy
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Affiliations
Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck
Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences
Francesca Ferlaino's experimental research focuses on quantum simulation with quantum gases of strongly magnetic atoms. Her group realized the world's first Bose-Einstein condensate made of erbium in 2012 and has been researching exotic quantum phases of matter ever since. She has received several awards for her work, including the prestigious Grand Prix de Physique “Cécile-DeWitt Morette”.