In: Physics
A supersolid is a proposed state of matter in which bosonic atoms are both in a quantum conden- sate and form a solid. To date they have not been seen. Why do you think this is a difficult state to create?
1. The analysis for supersolid with one or two atoms per unit cell is not a scheme persuaded much as the crystalline lattice are dynamically changing the periodicity to accommodate impurities or vacancies. Thus, there is no criteria for stability established yet for the crystalline behaviour of unit cells with a low number of atoms.
2. The solid period in supersolids is forced to take discrete values to attain crystallinity. However, this is not in coherence with the crystal's tendency for a dynamic solid period. Consequently, the energies need to be modified to attain the suggested crystallinity, which can be obtained by doping or using materials which would allow the requisite energy levels. However, finding a compatibility and ensuring the energies is quite rare to obtain.
3. Theoretically, a particular Hamiltonian for this state could not be defined to support the microscopic calculations.