Ultracold quantum gases play a central role in modern quantum science. These systems consist of clouds of atoms cooled to temperatures near absolute zero using laser cooling and related techniques, making them among the coldest objects in the universe. Although quantum mechanics is often associated with atomic-scale phenomena, ultracold gases allow quantum behavior to manifest on mesoscopic length scales approaching a millimeter, while remaining fully quantum mechanical. A defining feature of these systems is the wave‑like nature of atoms, which can be described as matter waves. Under suitable conditions, a large number of atoms can occupy a single macroscopic matter wave, forming a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC). Interatomic interactions introduce intrinsic nonlinearities, giving rise to rich dynamics. As a result, BECs provide a powerful platform for exploring fundamental questions in quantum dynamics. At Washington State University, our group has a long history of experimental research with Bose–Einstein condensates, using them to investigate quantum hydrodynamics and analogues of condensed‑matter systems. In this talk, I will introduce this highly active field and highlight some recent results from our lab.
Prof. Engels is a professor at Washington State University (WSU), where he leads the Fundamental Quantum Physics laboratories. He earned his PhD in physics from the University of Hannover, Germany. After a postdoctoral appointment at JILA / University of Colorado, he joined the WSU faculty in 2004. Prof. Engels’ research group has more than two decades of experience working with ultracold quantum gases, including Bose–Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases. His work has contributed to the experimental exploration of quantum many‑body dynamics, quantum hydrodynamics, and condensed‑matter analogues. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and holds the Boeing Endowed Professorship in Advanced Materials Science at WSU.