The universal Efimov effect, first proposed in the context of nuclear physics, has enjoyed a recent explosion as ultracold atomic physics techniques have enabled its observation in many independent experiments. I will discuss our current theoretical picture of how these states form, of how N-body recombination processes occur, and the connection between theory and recent experiments showing that a recombination collision of 4 or even 5 free atoms can sometimes be the dominant dimer or cluster formation process. I will also offer some speculative remarks about few-nucleon collision processes in a neutron-rich environment.

Argonne Physics Division Colloquium Schedule