Atomic ensembles are groups of atoms that are studied together, often in a controlled environment. These collections can exhibit collective behaviors that are not present in individual atoms. Researchers use atomic ensembles to explore phenomena such as quantum mechanics and Bose-Einstein condensates, where atoms behave as a single quantum entity. In experiments, atomic ensembles can be manipulated using lasers and magnetic fields to investigate their properties. This research has applications in fields like quantum computing and quantum communication, where understanding the interactions within these ensembles can lead to advancements in technology and information processing.