Comparing and contrasting nuclei and cold atomic gases

TL;DR

This paper compares ultracold atomic gases and nuclear physics, highlighting their similarities and differences, and discusses how insights from atomic physics can inform nuclear studies, especially with recent advances in trapping techniques.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of the concepts, techniques, and phenomena in cold atomic gases and nuclear physics, emphasizing potential cross-disciplinary benefits.

Findings

Identifies key similarities and differences between the two fields.

Highlights the potential for atomic physics results to impact nuclear physics.

Discusses recent advances in trapping atomic systems for cross-disciplinary research.

Abstract

The experimental revolution in ultracold atomic gas physics over the past decades have brought tremendous amounts of new insight to the world of degenerate quantum systems. Here we compare and constrast the developments of cold atomic gases with the physics of nuclei since many concepts, techniques, and nomenclatures are common to both fields. However, nuclei are finite systems with interactions that are typically much more complicated than those of ultracold atomic gases. The simularities and differences must therefore be carefully addressed for a meaningful comparison and to facilitate fruitful crossdisciplinary activity. Universal results from atomic physics should have impact in certain limits of the nuclear domain. In particular, with advances in the trapping of few-body atomic systems we expect a more direct exchange of ideas and results.