Beecroft Building
Abstract:
Supersolidity is a paradoxical quantum phase of matter that combines the properties of superfluids and crystals. Although it was proposed more than 50 years ago for solid helium, its experimental verification has long been elusive. Recently, at the "Dysprosium Lab" in Pisa, we discovered supersolidity in an ultracold sample of strongly magnetic atoms. In this talk, I will report on a series of experiments aimed at revealing the fundamental nature of dipolar supersolids, shedding light on their intertwined superfluid and solid character. Supersolids are a new phase of matter with unconventional properties, many of which have yet to be revealed. Understanding their physical behaviour could also open up new avenues for potential applications, such as the creation of innovative quantum materials.