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Researcher
Senne Van Loon
- Research Expertise:As a theoretical quantum physicist, I research ultra-cold atomic gases, also known as quantum gases. At extremely low temperatures, certain gases can undergo a phase transition to a new state of matter, known as the Bose-Einstein condensate. This new state is accompanied by special phenomena, such as superfluidity. A superfluid can flow without any resistance and has no viscosity. This phenomenon lies at the basis of superconductivity, where electrons can form pairs at low temperatures to conduct electricity without any loss of energy. Quantum gases can be used as a model system for, among other things, superconductivity, by strongly cooling fermionic atoms. This fermionic superfluidity of ultra-cold atomic gases is the basis of my research. More specifically, I study the elementary excitations in this system, or specific ways of adding energy. During my PhD, the focus was on fermionic gases with two different components. Nowadays I am also concerned with mixtures of three fermions, and the color superfluidity that comes with it. It is expected that in the core of neutron stars, protons and neutrons can break up into quarks, which in turn can form a new kind of superfluid, where the presence of three different components is important. Since neutron stars are too distant and too dense to recreate on Earth, their physics must be simulated. Again, quantum gases serve as this model system, as they provide a controlled environment that makes it possible to investigate this phenomenon.
- Keywords:SUPERCONDUCTIVITY, QUANTUM PHYSICS, QUANTUM FIELD THEORY, QUANTUM FLUIDS, SUPERFLUIDITY, CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, QUANTUM FLUCTUATIONS, THEORETICAL STUDY, Physics (incl. astronomy)
- Disciplines:Atomic and molecular physics, Condensed matter physics and nanophysics, Mathematical physics, Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges, Quantum physics
- Research techniques:For the theoretical description of ultra-cold fermionic gases I make use of the path integral method.
- Users of research expertise:Physicists, mathematicians, and anyone interested in low-temperature quantum physics.