Perspective on quantum bubbles in microgravity

Progress in understanding quantum systems has been driven by the exploration of the geometry, topology, and dimensionality of ultracold atomic systems. The NASA Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) aboard the International Space Station has enabled the study of ultracold atomic bubbles, a terrestrially-inaccessible topology. Proof-of-principle bubble experiments have been performed on CAL with an radiofrequency-dressing technique; an alternate technique (dual-species interaction-driven bubbles) has also been proposed. Both techniques can drive discovery in the next decade of fundamental physics research in microgravity.

Automated summary

Progress in understanding quantum systems has been driven by exploring the geometry, topology, and dimensionality of ultracold atomic systems. The NASA Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) on the International Space Station enables the study of ultracold atomic bubbles, which are inaccessible on Earth. Proof-of-principle bubble experiments have been conducted on CAL using a radiofrequency-dressing technique, and an alternate technique (dual-species interaction-driven bubbles) has also been proposed. Both techniques hold the potential to drive discoveries in fundamental physics research in microgravity in the next decade.