Quantum

Researchers from the Stiller Research Group have significantly cooled sound waves in an optical fiber to a near quantum ground state, reducing thermal noise and potentially bridging classical and quantum mechanics. This breakthrough, achieved through laser cooling and stimulated Brillouin scattering, marks a promising step towards utilizing long acoustic phonons in quantum technologies. Artist’s impression of cooled acoustic waves in an optical fiber taper. Credit: Long Huy DaThe quantum ground state of an acoustic wave…

In 1965, cryogenics pioneer Olli V. Lounasmaa set up the Low Temperature Laboratory (LTL) at what is now Aalto University to research ultra-low temperature physics. Despite some initial scepticism because “why would anyone want to research cold in Finland,” the LTL has prospered, attracting researchers from all over the world — and laying the foundation for Finland’s leading quantum computing startup ecosystem.  Quantum computing has long been the stuff of dreams. Arthur C. Clarke’s statement…

Cryogenic microwave setup used for quantum device measurements. Credit: Qinu GmbH, qinu.deQuantum bits can be described more precisely with the help of newly discovered harmonics as a team of 30 researchers reports in Nature Physics.Physicists have uncovered that Josephson tunnel junctions – the fundamental building blocks of superconducting quantum computers – are more complex than previously thought. Just like overtones in a musical instrument, harmonics are superimposed on the fundamental mode. As a consequence,…

In 1856, an American scientist that history almost forgot, Eunice Foote, discovered the extraordinary ability of a teensy, transparent molecule, carbon dioxide, to absorb heat.From a simple experiment, she rightly deduced that an atmosphere containing CO2 would "give to our Earth a higher temperature" – describing the driving force of global warming and providing a molecular mechanism to earlier musings about what keeps our planet warm.Now, more than 160 years later, scientists have realized there's more to the story.…

Conceptual art of the operating device, consisting of a nanopillar-loaded drum sandwiched by two periodically segmented mirrors, allowing the laser light to strongly interact with the drum quantum mechanically at room temperature. Credit: EPFL & Second Bay StudiosResearchers at EPFL have achieved a milestone in quantum mechanics by controlling quantum phenomena at room temperature, overcoming the longstanding barrier of needing extreme cold. This opens up new possibilities for quantum technology applications and the…

Illustration of the first quantum semiconductor device where the topological skin effect was achieved. The flow of electrons (blue circle) along the edge, ensures unmatched robustness despite material deformations or other external perturbations. This quantum semiconductor signifies a breakthrough in the development of tiny topological electronic devices. Credit: Christoph Mäder/pixelwgSemiconductor devices are small components that manage the movement of electrons in contemporary electronic gadgets. They are essential…

Schematic illustration showing the role of GQDs, derived from erythrocyte membranes, as peroxidase–mimic enzyme for tumor catalytic therapy. Credit: FHIPSA team led by Professor Wang Hui at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a metal-free nanozyme using graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This innovation is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of tumor chemodynamic therapy (CDT).The study was published in the journal Matter.GQDs represent a promising and…

Nuclear physicists have discovered gravity’s profound influence on the quantum scale, revealing the strong force’s distribution within protons for the first time. This groundbreaking research, combining historical theoretical insights with modern experimental data, offers unprecedented understanding of the proton’s internal dynamics and sets the stage for future discoveries in nuclear science.Nuclear physicists at Jefferson Lab have mapped the distribution of the strong force within the proton, employing a framework that…

Researchers have discovered a new 2D quantum material, CeSiI, marking the first instance of heavy fermions in a 2D structure. This breakthrough by Uppsala and Columbia University scientists paves the way for advanced studies on quantum phenomena and the development of materials with tailored quantum properties.Researchers at Uppsala University, along with other collaborators, have discovered a novel 2D quantum material in a recent study published in Nature. This groundbreaking material is composed of atomically thin…

Researchers have made a landmark discovery in quantum physics by observing and quantitatively characterizing the many-body pairing pseudogap in unitary Fermi gases, a topic of debate for nearly two decades. This finding not only resolves long-standing questions about the nature of the pseudogap in these gases but also suggests a potential link to the pseudogap observed in high-temperature superconductors. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers have conclusively observed the many-body pairing pseudogap in unitary Fermi gases,…