Atomtronics: New Field of Science!

Atomtronics: New Field of Science!

Hmm.. Atomtronics? Yeah. Atomtronics is the branch of science and technology that deals with the creation of analogues to electronic circuits and devices by the use of atoms. In simple terms, atomtronics is a 'sub-emerging' field of Ultracold Atomic Physics aimed at creating circuits in which atoms move to pass the current, instead of electons like in electronic circuit. Electronic circuits deal with electron movement in the circuits governed by the use of wires, silicon and electricity. But in the era of quantum physics, these electronic circuits are facing new challenges. Because electrons lose any possible initial quantum state as they bounce around through the energydissipating semiconductor or metallic systems, they are ill-equipped for quantum computing.

So a atomtronic circuit is made up of three major elements. First one on the list is Bose-Einstein condensate, which is needed for its coherent and superfluid properties, although an ultracold Fermi gas may also be used for certain applications. Second is tailored trapping potential, which can be generated optically, magnetically, or using a combination of both. The final and the third element is amethod to induce movement of atoms within the potential, which can be achieved in a number of ways.

Since this is a comparitively new field of science and engineering, there are only a handful of applications of atomtronics namelygravimetry, rotational sensing via the Sagnac effect and quantum computing. But the one that caught my eye is a battery which was made using atomtronics. Unlike conventional batteries, which are driven by an electrical potential, the atomtronic battery is driven by a chemical potential – which is related to the abundances of atoms in the left and right portions of the trap. One possible use of the atomtronic battery is a temporally coherent source of matter waves – atoms that behave both as matter and waves. Such a source could be combined with a matter-wave resonator to create an inertial sensor that could measure tiny accelerations.

But there are limitations of atomtronics too. Number one being that this field is so new,almost theoretical, that it requires a lot of investment and time to develop. And yes, atoms being sluggish won't be able to replace electronic circuits but they'll surely benefit in making better and effiecient rotation sensor.

Thanks for reading!

Source : 1,2