Bose-Einstein condensed atoms are a novel form of matter which consists of a giant matter wave. They are produced by cooling a dilute atomic gas to the lowest temperatures ever a chieved. Professor Ketterle will describe how matter is manipulated and observed at such low temperatures, and how Bose condensates were used to realize an atom laser.

Wolfgang Ketterle, professor of physics at MIT, leads a group that explores novel aspects of ultra cold atomic matter. He was among the first to observe Bose-Einstein condensation and to realize an atomic laser A fellow of the American Physical Society, he is the recipient of a David and Lucile Packard Fellowship, the Rabi Prize of the American Physical Society, and the Gustav-Hertz Prize of the German Physical Society.