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Remote optimization of an ultracold atoms experiment by experts and citizen scientists

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Heck

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Oana Vuculescu

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Management, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Jens Jakob Sørensen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Jonathan Zoller

    (Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Morten G. Andreasen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Mark G. Bason

    (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, United Kingdom)

  • Poul Ejlertsen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Ottó Elíasson

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Pinja Haikka

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Jens S. Laustsen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Lærke L. Nielsen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Andrew Mao

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Romain Müller

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Mario Napolitano

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Mads K. Pedersen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Aske R. Thorsen

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Carsten Bergenholtz

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Management, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

  • Tommaso Calarco

    (Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;)

  • Simone Montangero

    (Institute for Complex Quantum Systems, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “G. Galilei,” Università degli Studi di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Jacob F. Sherson

    (ScienceAtHome, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

Abstract

We introduce a remote interface to control and optimize the experimental production of Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) and find improved solutions using two distinct implementations. First, a team of theoreticians used a remote version of their dressed chopped random basis optimization algorithm (RedCRAB), and second, a gamified interface allowed 600 citizen scientists from around the world to participate in real-time optimization. Quantitative studies of player search behavior demonstrated that they collectively engage in a combination of local and global searches. This form of multiagent adaptive search prevents premature convergence by the explorative behavior of low-performing players while high-performing players locally refine their solutions. In addition, many successful citizen science games have relied on a problem representation that directly engaged the visual or experiential intuition of the players. Here we demonstrate that citizen scientists can also be successful in an entirely abstract problem visualization. This is encouraging because a much wider range of challenges could potentially be opened to gamification in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Heck & Oana Vuculescu & Jens Jakob Sørensen & Jonathan Zoller & Morten G. Andreasen & Mark G. Bason & Poul Ejlertsen & Ottó Elíasson & Pinja Haikka & Jens S. Laustsen & Lærke L. Nielsen & Andre, 2018. "Remote optimization of an ultracold atoms experiment by experts and citizen scientists," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115(48), pages 11231-11237, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:e11231-e11237
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephan Billinger & Kannan Srikanth & Nils Stieglitz & Terry R. Schumacher, 2021. "Exploration and exploitation in complex search tasks: How feedback influences whether and where human agents search," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 361-385, February.

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