• Three research teams (MIT, École Normale Supérieure) successfully imaged quantum correlations in ultracold atomic gases.
• The new technique involves trapping atoms in a light lattice, allowing for direct observation of quantum phenomena like bosonic bunching and fermionic pairing.
• This advancement paves the way for new quantum simulations and a deeper understanding of complex quantum systems, including quantum Hall physics.

In a groundbreaking advancement, three independent research groups have successfully imaged the positions of individual atoms within cold, uniform gases, thereby visualizing quantum correlations. This achievement marks a significant step forward in understanding the fundamental quantum behavior of particles and opens new avenues for quantum simulations. The research involved teams from MIT and École Normale Supérieure, each employing innovative imaging techniques to capture the instantaneous positions of atoms in 2D gases. These observations provide direct evidence of quantum phenomena, such as the bunching of bosons and the pairing of fermions, which were previously only theoretically predicted.

• What: Three research groups have successfully imaged individual atoms in cold, uniform gases using a novel technique involving optical lattices to freeze atoms in place, enabling the observation of quantum correlations such as bosonic bunching and fermionic pairing.
• Who: Key individuals include Meera Parish (Monash University), Tarik Yefsah (École Normale Supérieure), Martin Zwierlein and Wolfgang Ketterle (MIT), Ruixiao Yao, Sungjae Chi, Mingxuan Wang, Richard J. Fletcher.
• When: The findings were published in Physical Review Letters on May 5, 2025, with research spanning several years leading up to this publication.
• Where: The research was conducted at École Normale Supérieure in Paris and at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

This research represents a significant leap in the ability to visualize and understand quantum phenomena. By directly imaging atoms and their interactions, scientists can now verify theoretical predictions and explore complex quantum systems, like those exhibiting quantum Hall physics. The development of atom-resolved microscopy overcomes limitations of previous imaging techniques, offering a more detailed view of atomic behavior. The ability to manipulate and observe these systems could lead to advancements in quantum computing, materials science, and other fields. The independent confirmation by three different research groups strengthens the validity and impact of these findings.

We are able to see single atoms in these interesting clouds of atoms and what they are doing in relation to each other, which is beautiful.

This kind of pairing is the basis of a mathematical construction people came up with to explain experiments. But when you see pictures like these, it’s showing in a photograph, an object that was discovered in the mathematical world. So it’s a very nice reminder that physics is about physical things. It’s real.

The hardest part was to gather the light from the atoms without boiling them out of the optical lattice. ... And it’s the first time we do it in-situ, where we can suddenly freeze the motion of the atoms when they’re strongly interacting, and see them, one after the other. That’s what makes this technique more powerful than what was done before.

The successful imaging of quantum correlations in ultracold atomic gases marks a pivotal moment in quantum physics. The new atom-resolved microscopy technique allows scientists to directly observe and verify quantum phenomena, paving the way for future explorations of complex quantum systems and potential applications in various fields. With ongoing research and advancements, this breakthrough promises a deeper understanding of the quantum world and its implications for technology and innovation.