Direct observation of zitterbewegung in a Bose–Einstein condensate

摘要: Zitterbewegung, a force-free trembling motion first predicted for relativistic fermions like electrons, was an unexpected consequence of the Dirac equation's unification quantum mechanics and special relativity. Though oscillatory motion's large frequency small amplitude have precluded its measurement with zitterbewegung is observable via simulation. We engineered environment 87Rb Bose–Einstein condensates where constituent atoms behaved particles subject to one-dimensional equation. With direct imaging, we observed sub-micrometre these clouds, demonstrating utility neutral ultracold gases simulating particles.