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Bose–Einstein Condensation
Vasillis E. Lembessis
Abstract
The subject of this chapter is not only inextricably linked to the wave-like nature of matter, but is also one of the most spectacular affirmations of matter’s wave-like nature. The story began in 1924, when the East Indian physicist S. Nath-Bose proposed a completely new proof of Planck’s law for blackbody radiation by considering thermal radiation as a gas of identical particles. That same year, Bose sent his work for publication; however, to his disappointment, it was rejected. He decided to send his proposal to Einstein, asking him to advocate for its publication in a German scientific journal if he thought he had some value. Indeed, after studying the work carefully, Einstein translated it into German and forwarded it for publication using his undisputed prestige.