Superatomic physics: A new direction in atomic-level physics

Abstract

It is proposed that the construction of superatomic physics is due to the development achievements of related disciplines such as atomic physics. The essence of superatomic physics is to explore the physical laws of artificial elements at the atomic level and construct new physics tools. As a stable microstructure, the superatoms exhibit orbitals symmetry in the arrangement of electron shells like to the atoms, and the species number of superatoms is extremely large compared to the elemental atoms in nature. This provides an important opportunity to simulate and even replace natural element atoms, and thus further facilitates the paradigm transformation of scientific research from structure to function at the atomic level. More far-reaching, the study of superatomic physics will promote a shift in the driving force from discovering to transforming nature, thus promoting the development of related disciplines and even scientific and technological progress. This paper is divided into three parts. In the first part, the basic concepts of atom, atomic level, superatom and artificial elements, especially their generation and corresponding development process are introduced. In the second part, the logical necessity of constructing superatomic physics is discussed from the following four aspects: Building superatomic physics (1) will provide basic support for the paradigm transformation of scientific research; (2) is an important manifestation for the continuous development of physical science; (3) is a necessary demand for the growth of superatomic science and technology research; (4) will contribute to the continuous progress of nanotechnology. Following in the third part, the basic research contents of superatomic physics are introduced. Considering that superatoms originate from the understanding of atoms at the atomic level, therefore superatomic physics will carry out extremely rich exploration work, even if it focuses on the scientific researches of comparisons with atoms. Briefly, the previous basic researches based on atoms can obtain new opportunities in superatoms. More importantly, the development potential of superatoms will not be limited to the comparisons with atoms, the artificial elements properties of superatoms indicate that the development of superatomic physics should focus more on the efforts of human beings to transform nature. As the most basic artificial element, the functional properties of superatoms could be demonstrated by constructing materials and even devices. From this, the methods including the high-precision self-assembly and the quantum regulation and control have shown important significance in the optical functions and electrical transporting properties of artificial elements including superatoms. These will promote the advance of physics-based science and technology. Moreover, in order to develop a new scientific research paradigm for functioning purpose, the exploration of superatomic physical would constantly integrate new achievements of science and technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data science would provide powerful tools to guarantee the enrichment and development of superatomic physics. All these will gradually enable human beings to get rid of the relatively passive situation of seeking functions based on naturally available structures and embark on a new path of designing structures for certain functions instead. Owing to the fact that the prospect of superatomic physics is bound to be far beyond the imaginations today, it is almost impossible for us to give a definite insight for the future of supreatoms. However, by reviewing the history of atomic physics, it could be generalized and confirmed that superatoms will bring new physics.