Bose-Einstein condensate research. Velocity-distribution data of a gas of rubidium atoms, confirming the discovery of a new phase of matter, the Bose?ａ¨Einstein condensate (BEC). A BEC is a state of matter that can arise when atoms are supercooled almost to absolute zero. At these temperatures the atoms all have the same quantum energy state and are indistinguishable. They coalesce, behaving as if they were one single 'super atom.' This graphic shows three-dimensional successive snap shots in time (from left to right) in which the atoms condensed from less dense red, yellow and green areas into very dense blue to white areas.