Perspective: Quantum gases in bubble traps

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development, current status, and future prospects of quantum gases in bubble traps, focusing on shell-shaped condensates created by innovative trapping techniques and their unique physical properties.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental and theoretical progress in quantum gases in bubble traps, highlighting the first observation of shell-shaped degenerate gases and open research questions.

Findings

First observation of shell-shaped degenerate gas

Advances in radiofrequency adiabatic potential techniques

Identification of key challenges and future research directions

Abstract

This paper presents a review and perspective on quantum gases in bubble traps. We emphasize how the idea of realizing shell shaped condensates emerged and was enabled by the invention of the radiofrequency adiabatic potential technique. We review the many subsequent theoretical works that address the new physics emerging for a condensate trapped on a closed surface. We present the current status of the experiments, the challenges ahead and highlight how a different approach using an immiscible mixture of two condensates enabled the first observation of a shell-shaped degenerate gas. Finally we list a few open questions that we believe provide interesting research directions.