SIGNIFICANT EVENTS - SCIENCE EVENTS
03/12/04

Yet another press description of degenerate fermions

In the March issue of Physics Today, the lead article in the Search & Discovery section is about PI Deborah Jin's recent observation of pairing in fermionic potassium-40 atoms. As described in recent December and January significant events, the article emphasizes the search for BCS-like pairing a la superconductors. In contrast to electrons, though, the potassium atoms are strongly interacting. Quotes are offered on the significance of the results from PIs Tin-Lun Ho (Ohio State) and Wolfgang Ketterle (MIT).