Scientists at the International Space Station will conduct an experiment that will create the coldest spot in the universe.
Cold Atom Laboratory
Researchers will create a temperature 10 billion times colder than the vacuum of space using the suitcase-size device called the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL). Scientists on the ground will perform all the experiments remotely, and the CAL will not require any assistance from the ISS crew.
The device, designed and built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, will chill clouds of atoms close to absolute zero, the lowest temperature possible.
Objectives Of The CAL Experiment
The experiment aims to help researchers study the behavior of atoms at ultra-low temperatures. At these very cold temperatures, atoms clump together to form the so-called Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The exotic matter, which is neither solid, nor liquid, nor gas, can help scientists observe the world of quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of matter on the smallest scales.
"At these low temperatures, atoms have almost no motion, allowing scientists to study fundamental behaviors and quantum characteristics that are difficult or impossible to probe at higher temperatures," NASA said.
The experiment is conducted at the ISS in microgravity as it may be possible to achieve colder temperatures than what is possible on the ground. Microgravity would also allow scientist to observe cold atom cloud for longer periods of time.
"On Earth, freely evolving BEC's are dragged down by the pull of gravity, and can typically only be observed for a fraction of a second," NASA said. "In the microgravity environment of the space station, each freely evolving BEC can be observed for up to 10 seconds."
Potential Applications
The results of the research may lead to improvements in technologies. It may speed up the development of powerful quantum computers. These next-generation supercomputers promise unmatched processing speed and the ability to solve problems that are currently not possible using the most sophisticated conventional computers available today.
Powerful and stable quantum machines hold potential in the field of cryptography and in modeling complex chemical processes. Quantum computing may also lead to important breakthroughs in materials and drugs.
The CAL experiment can also help researchers lead to improvements in sensors and atomic clocks used in spacecraft navigation.
"Cold atoms are used in atomic clocks, which allow us to measure time with incredible accuracy," said CAL project scientist Robert Thompson, from NASA's JPL. "Atomic clocks are used in GPS to measure positions on Earth by timing how long it takes signals to travel."
