Articles tagged with "quantum-mechanics"
First quantum squeezing achieved with nanoscale particle motion
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have achieved a groundbreaking feat by demonstrating quantum squeezing of the motion of a levitated nanoscale particle. Quantum squeezing reduces the uncertainty in a particle’s position or velocity below the standard quantum limit set by zero-point fluctuations, a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. By levitating a glass nanoparticle in a vacuum and cooling it near its ground state, the team managed to measure a velocity distribution narrower than the quantum uncertainty limit, marking the first such observation for nanoscale particle motion. This experiment bridges the gap between microscopic quantum phenomena and larger-scale objects, offering a new platform to explore quantum mechanics at mesoscopic scales. The achievement required overcoming significant challenges, including stabilizing the levitated particle and minimizing environmental noise. The sensitivity of the nanoscale particle to external fluctuations, while initially a hurdle, now provides a powerful system for studying the boundary between classical and quantum physics. Beyond fundamental science, this advance holds promise for practical applications such as ultra-precise quantum sensors that could enable GPS
materialsquantum-physicsnanoscale-particlesquantum-squeezingsensorsquantum-mechanicsnanotechnology90-year-old quantum guitar strings mystery finally explained
Scientists have solved a nearly century-old problem in quantum physics by providing the first exact solution to the damped quantum harmonic oscillator—a quantum analog of a guitar string that gradually loses energy. Traditionally, physicists struggled to describe how quantum systems lose energy without violating Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, which limits the precision with which certain pairs of physical properties, like position and momentum, can be known simultaneously. Previous models failed because they either broke this principle or could not accurately capture the damping process at the atomic scale. The breakthrough came by considering the atom not in isolation but as part of a many-body system interacting with all other atoms in its environment. Using a sophisticated mathematical technique called the multimode Bogoliubov transformation, the researchers revealed that the atom settles into a multimode squeezed vacuum state. This state carefully balances quantum uncertainties, reducing noise in one property while increasing it in another, thus preserving the uncertainty principle while accurately modeling energy loss. This solution opens new avenues for ultra-precise measurements beyond the
quantum-physicsquantum-mechanicsenergy-dissipationharmonic-oscillatormaterials-scienceatomic-vibrationsquantum-modelingNew framework clears spin-orbit confusion in solids and unifies physics
Physicists have developed a new theoretical framework that resolves longstanding difficulties in modeling spin-orbit coupling in solids, a phenomenon where an electron’s spin and motion are intertwined. Traditional quantum mechanical tools, particularly the orbital angular momentum operator, fail to accurately describe electron behavior in crystalline solids due to the lack of full rotational symmetry in atomic lattices. The new approach, termed relativistic spin-lattice interaction, bypasses these issues by focusing on how an electron’s spin interacts with the solid’s atomic structure using principles from relativity. This method aligns well with standard descriptions of electrons in crystals and respects the periodic atomic arrangement, overcoming limitations of earlier models. The researchers validated their framework across materials of different dimensionalities—a 3D semiconductor (gallium arsenide), a 2D insulator (hexagonal boron nitride), and a 1D conductor (atomic chains)—demonstrating improved accuracy in predicting spin behavior and reproducing key phenomena such as the Edelstein and spin Hall effects.
materialsspintronicsquantum-mechanicsspin-orbit-couplingelectron-spinsolid-state-physicsspin-lattice-interactionScientists probe whether gravity and space-time alter quantum world
A recent study by researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Illinois, and Harvard University explores how quantum networks can be used to investigate the effects of curved space-time on quantum theory, probing the intersection of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and quantum mechanics. Their work, published in PRX Quantum, introduces a protocol leveraging entangled W-states and quantum teleportation to distribute quantum effects across network nodes, enabling experimental tests of quantum theory under gravitational influences. This approach could provide new insights into whether gravity alters quantum mechanics, addressing a longstanding challenge in physics. The researchers highlight that while quantum mechanics effectively describes atomic and subatomic behavior, it remains unclear how or if gravity modifies these quantum effects, especially given the differences from classical physics at larger scales. Quantum networks, beyond their anticipated role in creating a global quantum internet and ultra-secure communications, offer a novel platform to experimentally study fundamental physics in curved space-time—something classical computing cannot achieve. This research opens pathways toward testing and potentially unifying quantum
quantum-networksquantum-mechanicsquantum-gravityquantum-internetquantum-entanglementquantum-computingquantum-technologyAustralian quantum battery with 1,000 times better life unveiled
Researchers at RMIT University and CSIRO in Australia have developed a new quantum battery prototype that extends the energy storage lifetime by 1,000 times compared to previous models, improving from nanoseconds to microseconds. Although still experimental and not yet practical for real-world applications, this advancement marks a significant step forward in quantum battery technology. The team achieved this improvement by aligning two energy levels perfectly within the device, enabling more efficient energy storage. Quantum batteries operate on quantum mechanics principles, storing energy by moving electrons into higher energy states using photons as charge carriers, rather than relying on ion flow like conventional batteries. They leverage quantum phenomena such as entanglement and superabsorption to enhance charging rates and energy density. Despite being a relatively new concept with practical devices lasting only nanoseconds until now, this breakthrough lays the groundwork for future research aimed at developing scalable, efficient quantum batteries. Potential applications include improving solar cell efficiency and powering small electronic devices, as noted by the researchers. The findings were published in the journal
energyquantum-batteryenergy-storagequantum-mechanicsnanotechnologybattery-technologyrenewable-energyNew Quantum clock ticks accurately without wasting much energy
Researchers have developed a novel quantum clock design that significantly reduces energy waste while maintaining high precision in timekeeping. Traditional quantum clocks measure time by counting discrete, irreversible events, each generating entropy and requiring energy, leading to a direct trade-off between precision and energy consumption. The new approach abandons this model by allowing quantum excitations to evolve coherently and uninterrupted across a system, tracking the overall flow of time rather than individual ticks. This method, based on coherent quantum transport, avoids repeated measurements that produce entropy, thereby breaking the previously assumed linear relationship between precision and entropy production. The innovative clock operates on principles drawn from quantum many-body systems, where particles exhibit coordinated, wave-like behavior, enabling precise control with minimal thermodynamic cost. By trading off precision with resolution—similar to waiting for a larger quantity of sand to fall in an hourglass rather than counting individual grains—the clock achieves greater accuracy without proportionally increasing entropy. Theoretical models validate this concept, and experimental efforts, such as those underway at Ch
energyquantum-clockquantum-mechanicsentropytimekeepingquantum-transportenergy-efficiencyQuantum tunneling observed in heavy fluorine atoms for first time
A recent study has, for the first time, observed quantum tunneling in heavy fluorine atoms, breaking the long-held "fluoro wall" belief that such heavy atoms cannot tunnel. Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon where particles pass through energy barriers they classically shouldn’t overcome. Previously, tunneling had been mostly seen in very light atoms like hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Researchers discovered this effect by trapping fluorine atoms in a frozen neon matrix at –270°C and using infrared spectroscopy to analyze unusual signals from a negatively charged ion composed of five fluorine atoms (F₅⁻). The central fluorine atom in this ion was found to tunnel between two equivalent positions, a behavior confirmed by quantum mechanical simulations. This breakthrough challenges existing views in quantum chemistry, suggesting that tunneling may occur more widely, even in heavier atoms under certain conditions. The finding has significant implications for understanding fluorinated compounds, which are important in pharmaceuticals, battery technology, and environmental science. For instance, fluorinated groups enhance drug absorption and battery efficiency, while fluorine-rich pollutants like PFAS are notoriously persistent in the environment. Understanding and potentially controlling fluorine tunneling could lead to new methods for breaking down such pollutants or designing advanced materials and medicines.
materialsquantum-tunnelingfluorinechemical-reactionsspectroscopyquantum-mechanicsatomic-physicsNew tech reveals plasma turbulence secrets for nuclear reactors
energynuclear-fusionplasma-turbulencecomplex-systemsquantum-mechanicsfusion-reactorsmulti-field-analysisScientists simulate how tens of thousands of electrons move in real time
materialsenergyquantum-mechanicselectron-dynamicsphotovoltaic-cellssimulationnanostructures