Category Archives: Quantum Physics

In this weeks Innovator Spotlight, hear from Joseph Maciejko, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Tier-II Canada Research Chair in Condensed Matter Theory. As interim director of the Edmonton node of Quantum Horizons Alberta, Joseph is helping build a world-class team of researchers in theoretical quantum physics and related areas.

I study something called quantum materials. Materials like iron, copper or silicon are made up of huge numbers of extremely small particles such as electrons. How those particles interact with each other and what their collective behaviour might be control to a large extent the technologically useful properties of the materiallike how well it conducts electricity. In quantum materials, the collective behaviour of electrons is controlled by quantum mechanics and this can give rise to surprising effects like magnetism and superconductivity. As a theoretical physicist, I employ mathematical models and theories to try to understand this behaviour and predict new materials that might have novel useful properties.

First an analogy. Think of electrons as Lego bricks, and of quantum mechanics as the rules specifying how two bricks can snap together. An interesting quantum material is a beautiful Lego creation with so many bricks arranged in such creative ways that it doesnt look like Lego at all. I want to understand mathematically or classify the range of all possible collective behaviours that the building blocks of nature and the laws of quantum mechanics allow. For example, what is there beyond magnetism and superconductivity?

Innovation to me means thinking something deep that hasnt been thought of before. It could be establishing an unexpected connection between two areas of science. Or it could be revisiting an old problem and discovering a hidden gem that has been overlooked and perhaps it turns a whole field of research around.

In recent years, this would be the initial idea that led to the inception of hyperbolic band theory, which I consider to be a radically new direction in my research area of condensed matter physics. The idea was to recognize that concepts from pure mathematicslike number theory and algebraic geometry, which traditionally have had limited application to physicscould help understand a fundamentally new type of quantum material, called a hyperbolic lattice, that had been recently synthesized in a lab at Princeton University. I enjoy when ideas from completely unrelated areas of science and mathematics must somehow team up to explain a physical phenomenon. It testifies to the unity of all human knowledge.

My best ideas have typically come out in either casual, unstructured conversations with students, postdocs or colleagues while scribbling equations on a chalkboard (yes, with real chalk!); or by reading and physics daydreaming in a quiet space such as my office or my car in a traffic jam. Also, lots of coffee!

The U of A is a wonderful place to work because of all the wonderful people here. The culture in the Department of Physics is highly collegial and collaborative. Ive been fortunate to work with many dedicated students and postdocs and have received lots of great support from my colleagues as well.

Over the years, Ive benefited greatly from the support and mentorship of many senior colleagues in the Department of Physics, such as Drs. John Beamish, Mark Freeman, Frank Marsiglio, Roger Moore and Mauricio Sacchi. Those individuals have been incredibly generous with their time and advice and I am extremely grateful and indebted to them. Renowned theoretical physicists in our department like Drs. Valeri Frolov and Don Page are also a great source of inspiration.

It is sometimes hard to quantify the immediate impact of purely theoretical research like the work that I do. In theoretical physics, we take a long view of a word like impact." When Einstein was developing the theory of relativity in the early 20th century, no oneincluding himselfcould have foreseen that it would become a crucial part of how the global positioning system (GPS) works. Without the theoretical physicists who laid the foundation of quantum mechanics in the 1920s, there would be no computer chips, lasers or medical resonance imaging (MRI) machines. I believe that continually striving to understand how nature works at the most fundamental level always pays off in the long run. It enriches our collective intelligence and creates the conditions for lasting technological breakthroughs.

I have lots of research projects on the go with my U of A team members and external collaborators, most immediately to further understand the full breadth of possible collective behaviours in hyperbolic lattices. More broadly, I am excited by the possibilities that will be opened up by Quantum Horizons Alberta (QHA), a new $25M pan-Alberta initiative to support fundamental research in quantum science. In my capacity as interim director for the U of A portion of this initiative, I look forward to helping build a world-class team of researchers in theoretical quantum physics and related areas. The more hands on deck we can have to unlock the mysteries of the quantum world, the better. The fun has really just begun.

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Innovator Spotlight: Joseph Maciejko | The Quad - University of Alberta

Quantum physics and mechanical engineering have been united in a breakthrough method allowing the control of quantum phenomena at room temperature, according to the findings of a pioneering new study.

In quantum mechanics, observing and controlling quantum phenomena has traditionally only occurred under conditions where temperatures approach absolute zero. Theoretically the coldest temperature attainable and roughly equivalent to around -459.67 Fahrenheit, absolute zero is the point at which matter becomes so cold that the motion of particles would cease.

Although allowing for easier detection of quantum effects, reaching such astoundingly cold temperatures is not easy, and has limited applications and studies involving quantum technologies.

Reaching the regime of room temperature quantum optomechanics has been an open challenge since decades, says Tobias J. Kippenberg, the co-author of a new study that, based on its findings, could finally present practical ways of overcoming such challenges.

According to Kippenberg, the new work has brought what physicists call Heisenbergs microscopeonce only realized as a theoretical modelinto reality.

The new research, co-authored with Kippenbergs colleague Nils Johan Engelsen, was the focus of a new study published in the journal Nature.

In their experiment, the team succeeded in producing a novel, ultra-low noise optomechanical system that enabled studies at the convergence of light and mechanical motion and allowed the team to examine lights influence on moving objects through its precise manipulation.

Attempting to achieve this at room temperature has always been difficult on account of thermal noise, the heat that arises from the motion of particles, and impedes observations of the dynamics of the quantum world.

To overcome the thermal noise issue, Kippenberg and Engelsen used special mirrors that reflect light back and forth within a small space, known as cavity mirrors, to effectively trap photons. Featuring patterns comprised of photonic crystalline structures, the cavity mirrors allowed the light they trapped to be manipulated to interact with the systems mechanical elements.

By using phononic-crystal-patterned cavity mirrors, we reduce the cavity frequency noise by more than 700-fold, the studys authors write in a recent paper describing their findings.

In this ultralow noise cavity, we insert a membrane resonator with high thermal conductance and a quality factor (Q) of 180 million, engineered using recently developed soft-clamping techniques, the authors report.

The experiment also employed a tiny mechanical oscillator to interact with light within the trapped cavity between the mirrors. Using this clever method of isolation, subtle quantum phenomena were able to be discerned even at room temperature.

The mechanical oscillator they used was the culmination of many years of effort, according to Engelsen, who said it allowed them to create mechanical oscillators that are well-isolated from the environment.

Among the studys achievements had also been the successful use of a phenomenon known as optical squeezing, which leverages Heisenbergs principle by manipulating the phase, intensity, or other properties of light in ways that help lessen the amount of fluctuation that occurs within a given variable, which thereby increases fluctuations in another.

In their experiment, the attainment of optical squeezing under such conditions allowed the team to show that control and observation of quantum phenomena in a macroscopic system could indeed be achieved at room temperature.

The system we developed might facilitate new hybrid quantum systems where the mechanical drum strongly interacts with different objects, such as trapped clouds of atoms, said Alberto Beccari, lead author of the new study.

These systems are useful for quantum information, and help us understand how to create large, complex quantum states, Beccari added.

Many potential applications could result from the new research, which might include a broadening of access to quantum optomechanical systems, which could help to facilitate quantum measurement and quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales.

The new paper, Room-temperature quantum optomechanics using an ultralow noise cavity, by Guanhao Huang, Alberto Beccari, Nils J. Engelsen, and Tobias J. Kippenberg, was published on February 14, 2024, in the journal Nature.

Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email atmicah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work atmicahhanks.comand on X:@MicahHanks.

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A Breakthrough in the Control of Quantum Phenomena at Room Temperature Has Been Achieved, Researchers Say - The Debrief

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 Studios

Researchers 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 study of macroscopic quantum systems.

In the realm of quantum mechanics, the ability to observe and control quantum phenomena at room temperature has long been elusive, especially on a large or macroscopic scale. Traditionally, such observations have been confined to environments near absolute zero, where quantum effects are easier to detect. However, the requirement for extreme cold has been a major hurdle, limiting practical applications of quantum technologies.

Now, a study led by Tobias J. Kippenberg and Nils Johan Engelsen at EPFL, redefines the boundaries of whats possible. The pioneering work blends quantum physics and mechanical engineering to achieve control of quantum phenomena at room temperature.

Reaching the regime of room temperature quantum optomechanics has been an open challenge for decades, says Kippenberg. Our work realizes effectively the Heisenberg microscope long thought to be only a theoretical toy model.

In their experimental setup, published today (February 14) in Nature, the researchers created an ultra-low noise optomechanical system a setup where light and mechanical motion interconnect, allowing them to study and manipulate how light influences moving objects with high precision.

The crystal-like cavity mirrors with the drum in the middle. Credit: Guanhao Huang/EPFL

The main problem with room temperature is thermal noise, which perturbs delicate quantum dynamics. To minimize that, the scientists used cavity mirrors, which are specialized mirrors that bounce light back and forth inside a confined space (the cavity), effectively trapping it and enhancing its interaction with the mechanical elements in the system. To reduce the thermal noise, the mirrors are patterned with crystal-like periodic (phononic crystal) structures.

Another crucial component was a 4mm drum-like device called a mechanical oscillator, which interacts with light inside the cavity. Its relatively large size and design are key to isolating it from environmental noise, making it possible to detect subtle quantum phenomena at room temperature. The drum we use in this experiment is the culmination of many years of effort to create mechanical oscillators that are well-isolated from the environment, says Engelsen.

The techniques we used to deal with notorious and complex noise sources are of high relevance and impact to the broader community of precision sensing and measurement, says Guanhao Huang, one of the two PhD students leading the project.

The setup allowed the researchers to achieve optical squeezing, a quantum phenomenon where certain properties of light, like its intensity or phase, are manipulated to reduce the fluctuations in one variable at the expense of increasing fluctuations in the other, as dictated by Heisenbergs principle.

By demonstrating optical squeezing at room temperature in their system, the researchers showed that they could effectively control and observe quantum phenomena in a macroscopic system without the need for extremely low temperatures. Top of Form

The team believes the ability to operate the system at room temperature will expand access to quantum optomechanical systems, which are established testbeds for quantum measurement and quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales.

The system we developed might facilitate new hybrid quantum systems where the mechanical drum strongly interacts with different objects, such as trapped clouds of atoms, adds Alberto Beccari, the other PhD student leading the study. These systems are useful for quantum information, and help us understand how to create large, complex quantum states.

Reference: Room-temperature quantum optomechanics using an ultralow noise cavity by Guanhao Huang, Alberto Beccari, Nils J. Engelsen and Tobias J. Kippenberg, 14 February 2024, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06997-3

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The End of the Quantum Ice Age: Room Temperature Breakthrough - SciTechDaily

Quantum computing has long been celebrated for its potential to surpass traditional computing in terms of speed and memory efficiency. This innovative technology promises to revolutionize our ability to predict physical phenomena that were once deemed impossible to forecast.

The essence of quantum computing lies in its use of quantum bits, or qubits, which, unlike the binary digits of classical computers, can represent values anywhere between 0 and 1.

This fundamental difference allows quantum computers to process and store information in a way that could vastly outpace their classical counterparts under certain conditions.

However, the journey of quantum computing is not without its challenges. Quantum systems are inherently delicate, often struggling with information loss, a hurdle classical systems do not face.

Additionally, converting quantum information into a classical format, a necessary step for practical applications, presents its own set of difficulties.

Contrary to initial expectations, classical computers have been shown to emulate quantum computing processes more efficiently than previously believed, thanks to innovative algorithmic strategies.

Recent research has demonstrated that with a clever approach, classical computing can not only match but exceed the performance of cutting-edge quantum machines.

The key to this breakthrough lies in an algorithm that selectively maintains quantum information, retaining just enough to accurately predict outcomes.

This work underscores the myriad of possibilities for enhancing computation, integrating both classical and quantum methodologies, explains Dries Sels, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at New York University and co-author of the study.

Sels emphasizes the difficulty of securing a quantum advantage given the susceptibility of quantum computers to errors.

Moreover, our work highlights how difficult it is to achieve quantum advantage with an error-prone quantum computer, Sels emphasized.

The research team, including collaborators from the Simons Foundation, explored optimizing classical computing by focusing on tensor networks.

These networks, which effectively represent qubit interactions, have traditionally been challenging to manage.

Recent advancements, however, have facilitated the optimization of these networks using techniques adapted from statistical inference, thereby enhancing computational efficiency.

The analogy of compressing an image into a JPEG format, as noted by Joseph Tindall of the Flatiron Institute and project lead, offers a clear comparison.

Just as image compression reduces file size with minimal quality loss, selecting various structures for the tensor network enables different forms of computational compression, optimizing the way information is stored and processed.

Tindalls team is optimistic about the future, developing versatile tools for handling diverse tensor networks.

Choosing different structures for the tensor network corresponds to choosing different forms of compression, like different formats for your image, says Tindall.

We are successfully developing tools for working with a wide range of different tensor networks. This work reflects that, and we are confident that we will soon be raising the bar for quantum computing even further.

In summary, this brilliant work highlights the complexity of achieving quantum superiority and showcases the untapped potential of classical computing.

By reimagining classical algorithms, scientists are challenging the boundaries of computing and opening new pathways for technological advancement, blending the strengths of both classical and quantum approaches in the quest for computational excellence.

As discussed above, quantum computing represents a revolutionary leap in computational capabilities, harnessing the peculiar principles of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways.

Unlike traditional computers, which use bits as the smallest unit of data, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits. These qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously, thanks to the quantum phenomena of superposition and entanglement.

At the heart of quantum computing lies the qubit. Unlike a classical bit, which can be either 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a state of 0, 1, or both 0 and 1 simultaneously.

This capability allows quantum computers to perform many calculations at once, providing the potential to solve certain types of problems much more efficiently than classical computers.

The power of quantum computing scales exponentially with the number of qubits, making the technology incredibly potent even with a relatively small number of qubits.

Quantum supremacy is a milestone in the field, referring to the point at which a quantum computer can perform a calculation that is practically impossible for a classical computer to execute within a reasonable timeframe.

Achieving quantum supremacy demonstrates the potential of quantum computers to tackle problems beyond the reach of classical computing, such as simulating quantum physical processes, optimizing large systems, and more.

The implications of quantum computing are vast and varied, touching upon numerous fields. In cryptography, quantum computers pose a threat to traditional encryption methods but also offer new quantum-resistant algorithms.

In drug discovery and material science, they can simulate molecular structures with high precision, accelerating the development of new medications and materials.

Furthermore, quantum computing holds the promise of optimizing complex systems, from logistics and supply chains to climate models, potentially leading to breakthroughs in how we address global challenges.

Despite the exciting potential, quantum computing faces significant technical hurdles, including error rates and qubit stability.

Researchers are actively exploring various approaches to quantum computing, such as superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and topological qubits, each with its own set of challenges and advantages.

As the field progresses, the collaboration between academia, industry, and governments continues to grow, driving innovation and overcoming obstacles.

The journey toward practical and widely accessible quantum computing is complex and uncertain, but the potential rewards make it one of the most thrilling areas of modern science and technology.

Quantum computing stands at the frontier of a new era in computing, promising to redefine what is computationally possible.

As researchers work to scale up quantum systems and solve the challenges ahead, the future of quantum computing shines with the possibility of solving some of humanitys most enduring problems.

The full study was published by PRX Quantum.

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Quantum computer outperformed by new traditional computing - Earth.com

KINGSTON, R.I. Feb. 14, 2024 Wide commercial use of quantum computers may still be a decade away, but a shortage of skilled workers is already being felt across industries that will benefit from the revolutionary technology.

Quantum computing is going to have some very dramatic effects as we go forward, said Len Kahn, chair of the University of Rhode Islands Physics Department. Were trying to prepare. As quantum computing explodes, the workforce is not going to be prepared because theyre working with classical computers. There are millions of people involved in programming classical computers, but what theyre doing is almost antithetical to what happens in quantum computing.

To help fill the talent gap, URI is teaming with the MITRE Corp. on an initiative Quantum Pivot to help professionals with STEM experience build the skills and knowledge to transition into career pathways in quantum information science and technology.

URI is among an inaugural group of 27 higher education institutions across the U.S. that have been selected to take part in the National Science Foundations new Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies, a program that aims to grow and diversify the workforce in key emerging technologies. In September, URI was awarded a three-year, $998,667 grant as one of the programs Pivot tracks, which provide STEM professionals in any field with experiential learning opportunities, training and mentoring to transition into careers in quantum information science and technology.

Quantum computers, which can perform some tasks millions of times faster than todays fastest supercomputers, have the ability to revolutionize technology affecting numerous industries, from machine learning to artificial intelligence, marketing and advertising to supply chain management, from pharmaceuticals to cybersecurity, to name a few.

While many of the quantum computers today are small-scale, experimental machines, companies such as IBM, a pioneer in the field, are making progress, Kahn said. IBM is doubling the number of quantum bits, or qubits, which store and process information in quantum computers, in its computer annually.

But as companies invest in quantum technologies, finding talented workers threatens to hold back progress. Only about one qualified candidate is available for every three quantum job openings and only half of quantum computing jobs are expected to be filled by 2025.

Right now, we dont have the workforce to meet the demand, Kahn said. Once quantum computing starts to take off, the catch-up is going to be very difficult. At URI, were contributing to the preparation of that workforce.

URI, which launched one of the first masters degree programs in quantum computing in 2021, has been investing in the field. This includes a research partnership with IBM that provides URI faculty and students access to IBMs cutting-edge quantum computing systems, while also adding faculty and post-doctoral researchers.

For the NSF initiative, URI will build on its established, one-year online Quantum Computing Graduate Certificate program, which will graduate its first cohort of students this spring.

The programs four courses give students the language and foundational knowledge needed to introduce them to the technology, Kahn said. Over the two semesters, students get a refresher in math, a basic understanding of the concepts of quantum mechanics, along with training in designing quantum algorithms and a fundamental understanding of applications such as quantum sensing, teleportation, cryptography, circuitry and communications. Threaded through the program are student projects in quantum computing, which provide students a portfolio to show prospective employers.The ability to focus on and research a project distinguishes URIs certificate program from other online programs.

Along with the online courses, students attend four in-person workshops two days per course where they will do hands-on experiments and have access to MITREs quantum technologies professionals, who can provide mentoring and career development.

MITRE adds a lot of expertise to this initiative, Kahn said. At their Princeton campus, they have 15 Ph.D.s doing only quantum. They also work with Department of Defense industries so they know what the needs are and where the needs are.

The NSF grant will also fund such areas as a remote lab for students, scholarships, and recruitment, with an eye toward diversifying the workforce, Kahn said. URI is working to recruit candidates through groups such as IBMs quantum computing consortium of students from historically Black colleges and universities, and professional societies that serve professionals from underrepresented communities.

An important part of this grant is to help diversify the workforce and make sure people from underrepresented communities get opportunities, Kahn said. URI and MITRE are dedicated to bringing a diverse culture to STEM fields.

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URI program to help STEM professionals pivot into quantum information science careers - The University of Rhode Island

In the intricate world of quantum mechanics, mastering the observation and manipulation of quantum phenomena at room temperature has been a long-standing challenge, particularly when it comes to macroscopic scales.

Historically, the exploration of quantum effects has been largely confined to environments close to absolute zero, significantly hampering the practical deployment of quantum technologies due to the complexities and limitations imposed by the need for extreme cold.

This landscape is undergoing a transformative change, thanks to disruptive research led by Tobias J. Kippenberg and Nils Johan Engelsen at the cole Polytechnique Fdrale de Lausanne (EPFL).

Their study, a confluence of quantum physics and mechanical engineering, has achieved a milestone in controlling quantum phenomena at ambient temperatures, marking a significant departure from traditional constraints.

Reaching the regime of room temperature quantum optomechanics has been an open challenge since decades, explains Kippenberg. Our work realizes effectively the Heisenberg microscope long thought to be only a theoretical toy model.

At the core of their research is the development of an ultra-low noise optomechanical system.

This setup, where light and mechanical motion are intricately linked, facilitates the precise examination and manipulation of how light impacts moving objects.

A notable obstacle at room temperature is thermal noise, which disrupts delicate quantum dynamics. To counteract this, the team employed cavity mirrors adorned with crystal-like phononic crystal structures.

These mirrors enhance lights interaction with mechanical elements by confining it within a space, thus minimizing thermal noise.

A pivotal element in their experimental setup is a 4mm drum-like mechanical oscillator that interacts with light inside the cavity.

Its design and size are critical for shielding it from environmental noise, enabling the detection of quantum phenomena at room temperature.

The drum we use in this experiment is the culmination of many years of effort to create mechanical oscillators that are well-isolated from the environment, says Engelsen, highlighting the significance of this component.

Guanhao Huang, one of the PhD students leading the project, emphasizes the broader implications of their techniques in addressing complex noise sources, which hold considerable relevance for the precision sensing and measurement community.

One of the studys key achievements is the demonstration of optical squeezing at room temperature. This quantum phenomenon involves manipulating certain properties of light to reduce fluctuations in one variable while increasing them in another, a principle intrinsic to Heisenbergs uncertainty principle.

This breakthrough shows that quantum phenomena can be controlled and observed in macroscopic systems without the necessity for extremely low temperatures.

The researchers believe that their ability to operate the system at room temperature will make quantum optomechanical systems more accessible. These systems serve as crucial platforms for quantum measurement and understanding quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales.

Alberto Beccari, another PhD student pivotal to the study, anticipates that their work will pave the way for new hybrid quantum systems.

He envisages a future where the mechanical drum interacts with various entities, such as trapped clouds of atoms, offering promising avenues for quantum information and the creation of large, complex quantum states.

In summary, this groundbreaking research has ushered in a new era in quantum mechanics by achieving control of quantum phenomena at room temperature, a feat previously thought to be confined to the realms of theoretical models.

The pioneering work at EPFL, which intricately merges quantum physics with mechanical engineering, overcomes the longstanding barrier of thermal noise and introduces a novel, room-temperature-operable optomechanical system.

This innovation will allow broader access to quantum optomechanical systems, promising significant advancements in quantum measurement, information, and the exploration of complex quantum states.

Through their dedication and ingenuity, the team has expanded the boundaries of whats possible in quantum research while laying the foundation for future technologies that could revolutionize our understanding and application of quantum mechanics in the real world.

The full study was published in the journal Nature.

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Quantum realm controlled at room temperature for the first time - Earth.com

Theoretical physicists have found a way to potentially enhance quantum computer chips memory capabilities by ensuring information remains organized, similar to perpetually swirling coffee creamer, defying traditional physics expectations.

Add a dash of creamer to your morning coffee, and clouds of white liquid will swirl around your cup. But give it a few seconds, and those swirls will disappear, leaving you with an ordinary mug of brown liquid.

Something similar happens in quantum computer chipsdevices that tap into the strange properties of the universe at its smallest scaleswhere information can quickly jumble up, limiting the memory capabilities of these tools.

That doesnt have to be the case, said Rahul Nandkishore, associate professor of physics at the University of Colorado Boulder.

In a new coup for theoretical physics, he and his colleagues have used math to show that scientists could create, essentially, a scenario where the milk and coffee never mixno matter how hard you stir them.

The groups findings may lead to new advances in quantum computer chips, potentially providing engineers with new ways to store information in incredibly tiny objects.

Think of the initial swirling patterns that appear when you add cream to your morning coffee, said Nandkishore, senior author of the new study. Imagine if these patterns continued to swirl and dance no matter how long you watched.

Researchers still need to run experiments in the lab to make sure that these never-ending swirls really are possible. But the groups results are a major step forward for physicists seeking to create materials that remain out of balance, or equilibrium, for long periods of timea pursuit known as ergodicity breaking.

The teams findings were recently published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

The study, which includes co-authors David Stephen and Oliver Hart, postdoctoal researchers in physics at CU Boulder, hinges on a common problem in quantum computing.

Normal computers run on bits, which take the form of zeros or ones. Nandkishore explained that quantum computers, in contrast, employ qubits, which can exist as zero, one or, through the strangeness of quantum physics, zero and one at the same time. Engineers have made qubits out of a wide range of things, including individual atoms trapped by lasers or tiny devices called superconductors.

But just like that cup of coffee, qubits can become easily mixed up. If you flip, for example, all of your qubits to one, theyll eventually flip back and forth until the entire chip becomes a disorganized mess.

In the new research, Nandkishore and his colleagues may have figured a way around that tendency toward mixing. The group calculated that if scientists arrange qubits into particular patterns, these assemblages will retain their informationeven if you disturb them using a magnetic field or a similar disruption. That could, the physicist said, allow engineers to build devices with a kind of quantum memory.

This could be a way of storing information, he said. You would write information into these patterns, and the information couldnt be degraded.

In the study, the researchers used mathematical modeling tools to envision an array of hundreds to thousands of qubits arranged in a checkerboard-like pattern.

The trick, they discovered, was to stuff the qubits into a tight spot. If qubits get close enough together, Nadkishore explained, they can influence the behavior of their neighbors, almost like a crowd of people trying to squeeze themselves into a telephone booth. Some of those people might be standing upright or on their heads, but they cant flip the other way without pushing on everyone else.

The researchers calculated that if they arranged these patterns in just the right way, those patterns might flow around a quantum computer chip and never degrademuch like those clouds of cream swirling forever in your coffee.

The wonderful thing about this study is that we discovered that we could understand this fundamental phenomenon through what is almost simple geometry, Nandkishore said.

The teams findings could influence a lot more than just quantum computers.

Nandkishore explained that almost everything in the universe, from cups of coffee to vast oceans, tends to move toward what scientists call thermal equilibrium. If you drop an ice cube into your mug, for example, heat from your coffee will melt the ice, eventually forming a liquid with a uniform temperature.

His new findings, however, join a growing body of research that suggests that some small organizations of matter can resist that equilibriumseemingly breaking some of the most immutable laws of the universe.

Were not going to have to redo our math for ice and water, Nandkishore said. The field of mathematics that we call statistical physics is incredibly successful for describing things we encounter in everyday life. But there are settings where maybe it doesnt apply.

Reference: Ergodicity Breaking Provably Robust to Arbitrary Perturbations by David T. Stephen, Oliver Hart and Rahul M. Nandkishore, 23 January 2024, Physical Review Letters. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.040401

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Quantum Breakthrough: New Method Preserves Information Against All Odds - SciTechDaily

Quantum computing represents a frontier in science that promises to unlock mysteries beyond the reach of todays most advanced computers.

Natalia Chepiga, a quantum scientist at Delft University of Technology, is at the forefront of this exploration.

She has developed a groundbreaking guide aimed at enhancing quantum simulators, a subset of quantum computers designed to probe the depths of quantum physics.

This innovation could pave the way for unprecedented discoveries about the universe at its most fundamental level.

Quantum simulators stand as a beacon of potential in the scientific community, according to Chepiga.

Creating useful quantum computers and quantum simulators is one of the most important and debated topics in quantum science today, with the potential to revolutionize society, she states.

Unlike traditional computers, quantum simulators delve into quantum physics open problems, aiming to extend our grasp of the natural world.

The implications of such advancements are vast, touching upon various societal aspects, from finance and encryption to data storage.

A crucial aspect of developing effective quantum simulators is their ability to be controlled or manipulated, akin to having a steering wheel in a car.

A key ingredient of a useful quantum simulator is the possibility to control or manipulate it, Chepiga illustrates. Without this capability, a quantum simulators utility is severely limited.

To address this, Chepiga proposes a novel protocol in her paper, likening it to creating a steering wheel for quantum simulators.

This protocol is essentially a blueprint for constructing a fully controllable quantum simulator that can unlock new physics phenomena.

Chepigas protocol introduces a method for tuning quantum simulators by using not one, but two lasers with distinct frequencies or colors to excite atoms to different states.

This approach significantly enhances the simulators flexibility, allowing it to mimic a broader range of quantum systems.

Chepiga analogizes this advancement to the difference between viewing a cube as a flat sketch and exploring a three-dimensional cube in real space. Theoretically, introducing more lasers could add even more dimensions to what can be simulated.

The challenge of simulating the collective behavior of quantum systems with numerous particles is immense.

Current computers, including supercomputers, struggle to model systems beyond a few dozen particles without resorting to approximations due to the sheer volume of calculations required.

Quantum simulators, built from entangled quantum particles, offer a solution.

Entanglement is some sort of mutual information that quantum particles share between themselves. It is an intrinsic property of the simulator and therefore allows to overcome this computational bottleneck, Chepiga explains.

In essence, Chepigas research lays the groundwork for a new era of quantum computing. By enhancing the controllability of quantum simulators, she opens the door to exploring complex quantum systems more deeply and accurately than ever before.

This advancement furthers our understanding of the quantum realm and holds the promise of significant societal benefits, from more secure data encryption to solving problems currently beyond our reach.

Chepigas contribution to quantum science marks a significant step towards harnessing the full potential of quantum computing, setting the stage for discoveries that could fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe.

The full study was published in the Physical Review Letters.

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Quantum computers get new design that makes them more "useful" - Earth.com

Researchers have identified a novel quantum state of matter with chiral currents, potentially revolutionizing electronics and quantum technologies. This breakthrough, confirmed through direct observation using the Italian Elettra synchrotron, holds vast applications in sensors, biomedicine, and renewable energy. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

An international research group has identified a novel state of matter, characterized by the presence of a quantum phenomenon known as chiral current.

These currents are generated on an atomic scale by a cooperative movement of electrons, unlike conventional magnetic materials whose properties originate from the quantum characteristic of an electron known as spin and their ordering in the crystal.

Chirality is a property of extreme importance in science, for example, it is fundamental also to understand DNA. In the quantum phenomenon discovered, the chirality of the currents was detected by studying the interaction between light and matter, in which a suitably polarized photon can emit an electron from the surface of the material with a well-defined spin state.

The discovery, published in Nature, significantly enriches our knowledge of quantum materials, of the search for chiral quantum phases, and of the phenomena that occur at the surface of materials.

The discovery of the existence of these quantum states, explains Federico Mazzola, researcher in Condensed matter physics at Ca Foscari University of Venice and leader of the research, may pave the way for the development of a new type of electronics that employs chiral currents as information carriers in place of the electrons charge. Furthermore, these phenomena could have an important implication for future applications based on new chiral optoelectronic devices, and a great impact in the field of quantum technologies for new sensors, as well as in the biomedical and renewable energy fields.

Born from a theoretical prediction, this study directly and for the first time verified the existence of this quantum state, until now enigmatic and elusive, thanks to the use of the Italian Elettra synchrotron. Until now, knowledge about the existence of this phenomenon was in fact limited to theoretical predictions for some materials. Its observation on the surfaces of solids makes it extremely interesting for the development of new ultra-thin electronic devices.

The research group, which includes national and international partners including the Ca Foscari University of Venice, the Spin Institute the CNR Materials Officina Institute, and the University of Salerno, investigated the phenomenon of a material already known to the scientific community for its electronic properties and for superconducting spintronics applications, but the new discovery has a broader scope, being much more general and applicable to a vast range of quantum materials.

These materials are revolutionizing quantum physics and the current development of new technologies, with properties that go far beyond those described by classical physics.

Reference: Signatures of a surface spinorbital chiral metal by Federico Mazzola, Wojciech Brzezicki, Maria Teresa Mercaldo, Anita Guarino, Chiara Bigi, Jill A. Miwa, Domenico De Fazio, Alberto Crepaldi, Jun Fujii, Giorgio Rossi, Pasquale Orgiani, Sandeep Kumar Chaluvadi, Shyni Punathum Chalil, Giancarlo Panaccione, Anupam Jana, Vincent Polewczyk, Ivana Vobornik, Changyoung Kim, Fabio Miletto-Granozio, Rosalba Fittipaldi, Carmine Ortix, Mario Cuoco and Antonio Vecchione, 7 February 2024, Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07033-8

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Beyond Classical Physics: Scientists Discover New State of Matter With Chiral Properties - SciTechDaily

The exact reason behind high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates, which are a type of material, is still a mystery at the microscopic level. Many scientists think that understanding the pseudogap phase, which is a normal non-superconducting state in these materials, could lead to significant progress in this area. One key question is whether the pseudogap comes from strong pairing fluctuations.

Unitary Fermi gases, in which the pseudogapif it existsnecessarily arises from many-body pairing, offer ideal quantum simulators to address this question.

An international team of scientists has made a breakthrough discovery that could shed light on the microscopic mystery behind high-temperature superconductivity. It could also address global energy challenges.

In a recent study, Associate Professor Hui Hu from Swinburne University of Technology collaborated with researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Together, they conducted experiments that revealed the presence of pseudogap pairing in a strongly interacting cloud of fermionic lithium atoms.

This discovery confirms that multiple particles are pairing up before reaching a critical temperature, leading to remarkable quantum superfluidity. This finding challenges the previous notion that only pairs of particles were involved in this process.

Swinburne University of Technologys Associate Professor Hui Hu said,Quantum superfluidity and superconductivity are the most intriguing phenomenon of quantum physics.

Despite enormous efforts over the last four decades, the origin of high-temperature superconductivity, particularly the appearance of an energy gap in the normal state before superconducting, remains elusive.

The central aim of our work was to emulate a simple text-book model to examine one of the two main interpretations of pseudogap the energy gap without superconducting using a system of ultracold atoms.

In 2010, scientists attempted to investigate pseudogap pairing with ultracold atoms. However, their experiment was unsuccessful. In this new experiment, researchers used advanced methods to prepare homogeneous Fermi clouds and eliminate unwanted interatomic collisions, along with precise control over magnetic fields.

These advancements enabled the observation of a pseudogap without relying on specific microscopic theories to interpret the data. The researchers found a reduction in spectral weight near the Fermi surface in the normal state.

According to researchers,This discovery will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future study of strongly interacting Fermi systems and could lead to potential applications in future quantum technologies.

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Quantum research sheds light on the mystery of high-temperature superconductivity - Tech Explorist