Category Archives: Quantum Physics
Universal Physics Uncovered in the Dynamics of a Quantum System – SciTechDaily
Physicists at Penn State have discovered a universal reaction in quantum systems when disturbed by a large influx of energy. Using ultra-cold, one-dimensional gases, they were able to closely observe this response and the subsequent phase known as hydrodynamization, providing a model for understanding similar quantum systems. The findings were published in the journal Nature.
New experiments with ultra-cold atomic gases shed light on how all interacting quantum systems evolve after a sudden energy influx.
New experiments using one-dimensional gases of ultra-cold atoms reveal a universality in how quantum systems composed of many particles change over time following a large influx of energy that throws the system out of equilibrium. A team of physicists at Penn State showed that these gases immediately respond, evolving with features that are common to all many-body quantum systems thrown out of equilibrium in this way. A paper describing the experiments was published on May 17, 2023, in the journal Nature.
Many major advances in physics over the last century have concerned the behavior of quantum systems with many particles, said David Weiss, Distinguished Professor of Physics at Penn State and one of the leaders of the research team. Despite the staggering array of diverse many-body phenomena, like superconductivity, superfluidity, and magnetism, it was found that their behavior near equilibrium is often similar enough that they can be sorted into a small set of universal classes. In contrast, the behavior of systems that are far from equilibrium has yielded to few such unifying descriptions.
New experiments with ultra-cold atomic gases uncover universal physics in the dynamics of quantum systems. Penn State graduate student Yuan Le, the first author of the paper describing the experiments, stands near the apparatus she used to create and study one-dimensional gases near absolute zero. Credit: David Weiss, Penn State
These quantum many-body systems are ensembles of particles, like atoms, that are free to move around relative to each other, Weiss explained. When they are some combination of dense and cold enough, which can vary depending on the context, quantum mechanicsthe fundamental theory that describes the properties of nature at the atomic or subatomic scaleis required to describe their dynamics.
Dramatically out-of-equilibrium systems are routinely created in particle accelerators when pairs of heavy ions collide at speeds near the speed of light. The collisions produce a plasmacomposed of the subatomic particles quarks and gluonsthat emerges very early in the collision and can be described by a hydrodynamic theorysimilar to the classical theory used to describe airflow or other moving fluidswell before the plasma reaches local thermal equilibrium. But what happens in the astonishingly short time before hydrodynamic theory can be used?
The physical process that occurs before hydrodynamics can be used has been called hydrodynamization, said Marcos Rigol, professor of physics at Penn State and another leader of the research team. Many theories have been developed to try to understand hydrodynamization in these collisions, but the situation is quite complicated and it is not possible to actually observe it as it happens in the particle accelerator experiments. Using cold atoms, we can observe what is happening during hydrodynamization.
The Penn State researchers took advantage of two special features of one-dimensional gases, which are trapped and cooled to near absolute zero by lasers, in order to understand the evolution of the system after it is thrown of out of equilibrium, but before hydrodynamics can be applied. The first feature is experimental. Interactions in the experiment can be suddenly turned off at any point following the influx of energy, so the evolution of the system can be directly observed and measured. Specifically, they observed the time-evolution of one-dimensional momentum distributions after the sudden quench in energy.
Ultra-cold atoms in traps made from lasers allow for such exquisite control and measurement that they can really shed light on many-body physics, said Weiss. It is amazing that the same basic physics that characterize relativistic heavy ion collisions, some of the most energetic collisions ever made in a lab, also show up in the much less energetic collisions we make in our lab.
The second feature is theoretical. A collection of particles that interact with each other in a complicated way can be described as a collection of quasiparticles whose mutual interactions are much simpler. Unlike in most systems, the quasiparticle description of one-dimensional gases is mathematically exact. It allows for a very clear description of why energy is rapidly redistributed across the system after it is thrown out of equilibrium.
Known laws of physics, including conservation laws, in these one-dimensional gases imply that a hydrodynamic description will be accurate once this initial evolution plays out, said Rigol. The experiment shows that this occurs before local equilibrium is reached. The experiment and theory together, therefore, provide a model example of hydrodynamization. Since hydrodynamization happens so fast, the underlying understanding in terms of quasi-particles can be applied to any many-body quantum system to which a very large amount of energy is added.
Reference: Observation of hydrodynamization and local prethermalization in 1D Bose gases by Yuan Le, Yicheng Zhang, Sarang Gopalakrishnan, Marcos Rigol and David S. Weiss, 17 May 2023, Nature.DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05979-9
In addition to Weiss and Rigol, the research team at Penn State includes Yuan Le, Yicheng Zhang, and Sarang Gopalakrishnan. The research was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Computations were carried out at the Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences.
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Universal Physics Uncovered in the Dynamics of a Quantum System - SciTechDaily
Free open-source software to speed up quantum research … – eeNews Europe
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Quantum hardware | Opinion – Chemistry World
Make everything a bit bigger. Thats the general idea behind a quantum simulator that has been used to make analogues of small organic molecules. Bigger means more control. And more control means more answers.
Quantum simulators based on quantum mechanical systems let scientists study model systems and then extrapolate from them to understand real (and not-yet-real) systems. By using a quantum device rather than a classical computer, youre not hindered by the computational costs that grow exponentially with every extra atom or the compromises that come with trying to model quantum.
Richard Feynman first floated the concept of building experimental platforms out of elementary quantum particles, like atoms, ions and photons, for studying many-body systems in his 1981 lecture Simulating physics with computers. Nature isnt classical, dammit, and if you want to make a simulation of nature, youd better make it quantum mechanical, and by golly its a wonderful problem because it doesnt look so easy, he said. His original idea involved building a lattice of spins with tuneable interactions.
In the years that have followed, analogue quantum simulators quantum systems made to explore specific problems in quantum physics have been made using trapped ions, cold atoms in optical lattices, liquid and solid-state NMR, photons, quantum dots and superconducting circuits. Theyre subtly different from quantum computers that combine classical and quantum computing, and are being developed to accurately model chemical systems, among other things.
Last week we reported on a new quantum simulator. Its made by placing rings of caesium ions on an indium antimonide substrate using a scanning tunnelling microscope. Each ring of caesium ions acts as an artificial atom, and when six of them are placed in a hexagonal shape they create an artificial version of benzene. Having established that the orbital patterns in this artificial benzene resemble the real thing, the team went on to explore more unstable systems such as cyclobutadiene. Whats particularly exciting about this approach is that by allowing users to make structures with fragile low-energy states, they can unpick the relationship between geometry and electronic structure. This new quantum simulator also stands out because it manages to remain uncoupled from, and therefore uninfluenced by, the supporting substrate.
An obvious challenge for quantum simulators, however, is verifying their accuracy. Luckily several teams have been developing techniques to do just that. As quantum simulators become even more sophisticated, its important that their trustworthiness and falsifiability keeps pace.
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Gravity and dark matter, a bond beyond distances – Phys.org
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Isaac Newton formulated his theory of gravity as an action at a distance: a planet instantly feels the influence of another celestial body, no matter the distance between them. This characteristic motivated Albert Einstein to develop the famous theory of general relativity, where gravity becomes a local deformation of spacetime. The principle of locality states that an object is directly influenced only by its surrounding environment: Distant objects cannot communicate instantaneously; only what is here right now matters.
However, in the past century, with the birth and development of quantum mechanics, physicists have discovered that non-local phenomena not only exist, but are fundamental to understanding the nature of reality. Now, a new study from SISSAScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzatirecently published in The Astrophysical Journal, suggests that dark matter, one of the most mysterious components of the universe, interacts with gravity in a non-local way. According to the authors, Ph.D. students Francesco Benetti and Giovanni Gandolfi, along with their supervisor Andrea Lapi, this discovery could provide a fresh perspective on the still unclear nature of dark matter.
Dark matter is a fundamental component of nature: It is responsible for the formation of the structures we observe in the universe today and surrounds luminous matter in galaxies, contributing to the motion of the stars we see in the sky. However, the nature of dark matter, especially its interaction with gravity in smaller galaxies, remains mysterious.
"In recent decades, the scientific community has made great efforts to understand these enigmatic phenomena, but many questions remain unanswered. To explore the nature of dark matter and its interaction with gravity, a new approach may be necessary," explain the authors of the study. The new research from SISSA has precisely explored this intriguing path.
The study proposes a new model of non-local interaction between the dark matter of a galaxy and gravity. "It's as if all the matter in the universe tells the dark matter in a galaxy how to move," state the authors.
To model this non-locality, fractional calculus has been employed, a mathematical tool first developed in the 17th century and recently found in applications in various areas of physics. The power of this calculus had never been tested in astrophysics before.
"We wondered if fractional calculus could be the key to understanding the mysterious nature of dark matter and its interaction with gravity, and surprisingly, experimental results on thousands of galaxies of different types have shown that the new model more accurately describes the motion of stars compared to the standard theory of gravity," explain the authors.
This non-locality appears to emerge as a collective behavior of dark matter's particles within a confined system, proving particularly relevant in small-sized galaxies. A thorough understanding of this phenomenon could bring us closer what dark matter really is.
"However, many questions remain to be answered," emphasize the authors. "How does non-locality precisely emerge? What are its implications within larger structures, such as galaxy clusters, or in the phenomenon of gravitational lensing, which allows us to observe distant celestial objects?"
Moreover, it will be necessary to reconsider the standard model of cosmology considering this new mechanism. The authors conclude, "Further studies will be conducted to explore all these implications and more. We wouldn't be surprised to discover that other unresolved questions about the universe could be resolved by the newly proposed non-locality."
Advancements in understanding the nature of dark matter represent a significant step towards a better knowledge of our universe. Ongoing research continues to provide new perspectives and brings us closer to a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena that surround us.
More information: Francesco Benetti et al, Dark Matter in Fractional Gravity. I. Astrophysical Tests on Galactic Scales, The Astrophysical Journal (2023). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acc8ca
Journal information: Astrophysical Journal
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UT awarded National Science Foundation Materials Research … – Tennessee Today
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has received a prestigious Materials Research Science and Engineering Center from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spark discoveries that will lead to new industries in clean energy, computing and national security.
The new Center for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM) at UT Knoxville will receive $18 million in NSF funding to develop sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) and computational tools and deploy them in the design and synthesis of next-generation materials in two areas: quantum materials and materials for extreme environments. CAMM researchers will characterize these revolutionary materials using state-of-the-art instruments at UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
We have a deep bench of expertise in quantum materials and materials for extremes, said Chancellor Donde Plowman. This prestigious NSF award recognizes the ingenuity of our faculty, staff and student researchers and makes clear that UT Knoxville, and the state of Tennessee, is a global leader in these areas.
Next-generation materials and manufacturing are central to meeting the future needs of society, including ensuring the widespread availability of sustainable energy sources, supporting advances in computing and communications, enabling a global transition to a circular economy and promising a safer and more secure future for people around the world.
Professor of Physics and Materials Science Alan Tennant will direct the center. Professor of Materials Science Claudia Rawn will serve as deputy director and as director of education and diversity. Department Head of Physics and Astronomy Adrian Del Maestro will lead the quantum materials initiative and UTOak Ridge National Laboratory Governors Chair for Nuclear Materials Steve Zinkle will lead the materials for extreme environments research initiative.
CAMM is a model for interdisciplinary research and innovation, said Tennant. We are leveraging all the capabilities we have to advance the materials frontier while also developing our nations future leaders in these areas. And by working with companies like Lockheed Martin, Volkswagen and Eastman, and launching new high-tech start-ups like SkyNano that will co-locate with us here in Knoxville, we are ensuring that our innovations create economic opportunities for Tennesseans.
CAMM will engage undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty who will become tomorrows university and industry leaders.
Untangling the complexity of quantum materials
Much is still unknown about quantum materials, but the acceleration of research pairing AI with theory and application is essential to ensure continued U.S. leadership in the global economy. Technology spaces that will be impacted range from energy harvesting and low-power electronics to progressing quantum computing and the development of sensors with unprecedented sensitivity.
The CAMM team will advance the pace and scope of quantum materials discovery by using AI and experimental data to learn and refine models for quantum materials, uncover the guiding principles responsible for desired materials functionality and provide AI capabilities for experiment steering and analysis for multibillion dollar facilities used by the national science and engineering communities.
Our goal is the rational design of materials, meaning, can we design materials for a specific new technology or task? said Del Maestro. One of the things that were thinking about, for example, is post-silicon technology. How can we harness the power of quantum mechanics to do new things, to do applications that just arent possible via classical technologies?
The team will share the technologies and know-how developed with the national materials science and engineering community through an AI computational user facility and other mechanisms.
Developing materials for the harshest environments
Creating safe nuclear reactors for sustainable clean energy production and advanced propulsion technologies such as hypersonic flight requires materials that can reliably maintain structural stability and not break down.
We are seeking a leap forward in high-performance materials by merging atomistic calculations, high-throughput thin film synthesis and exposures to extreme pressures, temperatures and particle radiation to rapidly screen promising compositions of complex concentrated alloys and ceramics. said Zinkle. Applications couldrange from the next-generation of refractory complex concentrated alloys with environmental barrier coatings for hypersonic transport to damage-resistant high temperature materials for proposed fusion and Generation-IV fission reactors.
CAMM researchers will design, fabricate and test new complex metallic alloys and ceramic materials that could replace todays steel and nickel-based alloys.
The team will use machine learning and AI to accelerate the discovery of materials behavior, ultimately enabling new materials and design principles for extreme environments as well as models for use by the scientific community.
A place-based approach
CAMMs mission is supported by a region steeped indeep technologyand expertise. Facilities include world-class capabilities in materials synthesis and characterization at UTs Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing and the U.S. Department of Energys Spallation Neutron Source the most powerful neutron source in the world and Frontier, the worlds first exascale supercomputer, at ORNL.
UT Knoxville and ORNL researchers will work together through the UTOak Ridge Innovation Institute to enhance the position of U.S. researchers as global leaders.
We are primed to spark innovation, transform industries and open new frontiers of knowledge, said Del Maestro. Our partnerships with ORNL, industry leaders and academic institutions across the nation are testament to the collaborative spirit that is intrinsic to scientific discovery. The next era of materials science is not only about what we will discover but about how we come together to make these discoveries in partnership with the private sector.
CAMM was announced live by NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan during a daylong visit to UT on June 26 that focused on a recent NSF Regional Innovation Engine development award, TEAM TN, given to UT and its partners to establish Tennessee as a global leader in the $2 trillion transportation mobility economy.
Since the 1970s, NSFs Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers have yielded countless breakthroughs, from shape-morphing materials to plastics that conduct electricity, said NSF Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Sean L. Jones. Our current centers continue that proud tradition and provide the essential catalyst born in the materials lab which ignites American innovations that propel our countrys scientific and economic leadership.
Contact:
Christie Kennedy, 865-974-8674, ckennedy@utk.edu
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UT awarded National Science Foundation Materials Research ... - Tennessee Today
The Science Behind Quantum Internet: A Deep Dive – CityLife
The Science Behind Quantum Internet: A Deep Dive
The world is on the brink of a technological revolution as scientists and researchers delve deeper into the realm of quantum mechanics. Quantum internet, a term that may sound like it belongs in a science fiction novel, is gradually becoming a reality. The potential of this technology is immense, with the ability to revolutionize communication, cybersecurity, and computing. To truly appreciate the science behind quantum internet, it is essential to understand the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and how they can be applied to create a new era of connectivity.
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. At this scale, particles such as electrons and photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, a phenomenon known as wave-particle duality. Additionally, these particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a concept known as superposition. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of quantum mechanics is the idea of entanglement, where particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one particle is dependent on the state of another, regardless of the distance between them.
These principles form the foundation of quantum internet, which relies on the transmission of quantum bits, or qubits, rather than the classical bits used in todays internet. Classical bits can only represent a 0 or a 1, whereas qubits can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously, thanks to superposition. This property allows quantum computers to process vast amounts of information simultaneously, making them exponentially more powerful than classical computers.
The key to quantum internet lies in the phenomenon of quantum entanglement. When two particles become entangled, their states become correlated, and any change in the state of one particle will instantaneously affect the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. This instantaneous connection can be harnessed to create a secure communication channel, as any attempt to intercept or tamper with the transmitted information would immediately be detected.
One of the primary challenges in developing quantum internet is the need for quantum repeaters. In classical communication networks, repeaters are used to amplify and regenerate signals over long distances. However, due to the delicate nature of quantum states, traditional amplification methods cannot be used without destroying the information being transmitted. Quantum repeaters are being developed to overcome this limitation by creating entangled pairs of particles and using them to transmit information without the need for amplification.
Another challenge in the development of quantum internet is the need for efficient quantum memory. While classical computers store information in bits, quantum computers require qubits, which are much more fragile and susceptible to environmental factors. Researchers are working on developing quantum memory that can reliably store and retrieve qubits without compromising their delicate quantum states.
Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in recent years, with several successful demonstrations of quantum communication over long distances. In 2017, Chinese researchers successfully transmitted entangled photons between a satellite and ground stations over 1,200 kilometers apart, setting a new record for quantum communication distance. This achievement has brought us one step closer to realizing the potential of quantum internet.
In conclusion, the science behind quantum internet is rooted in the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly superposition and entanglement. By harnessing these properties, researchers are working to develop a new era of communication that is exponentially faster and more secure than anything currently available. While there are still challenges to overcome, such as the development of quantum repeaters and quantum memory, the progress made thus far indicates that the quantum internet is well on its way to becoming a reality. As we continue to explore the depths of quantum mechanics, the potential applications and benefits of this technology are limited only by our imagination.
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Quantum Metrology: The Path to Unprecedented Measurement … – CityLife
Quantum Metrology: The Path to Unprecedented Measurement Accuracy
Quantum metrology, an emerging field of science that exploits the principles of quantum mechanics to achieve unprecedented measurement accuracy, has been making waves in the scientific community. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, from medicine and telecommunications to aerospace and defense, by enabling the development of ultra-sensitive sensors and precise timekeeping devices.
The foundation of quantum metrology lies in the unique properties of quantum systems, such as superposition and entanglement. Superposition allows quantum particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously, while entanglement creates a strong correlation between the states of two or more particles, even when they are separated by vast distances. These phenomena enable scientists to perform measurements with far greater precision than classical methods, which are limited by the inherent uncertainty of classical systems.
One of the most promising applications of quantum metrology is in the field of atomic clocks, which are essential for maintaining accurate timekeeping in global positioning systems (GPS) and telecommunications networks. Current atomic clocks rely on the vibrations of atoms to measure time, but even the most advanced clocks are still subject to small errors due to factors such as temperature fluctuations and magnetic fields. Quantum metrology offers a solution to this problem by harnessing the power of entangled atoms, which can be used to create a more stable and accurate timekeeping system.
In a recent breakthrough, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States developed a quantum-logic clock that uses aluminum and beryllium ions to achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy. The clock is so precise that it would not lose or gain a second in 33 billion years, making it the most accurate timekeeping device ever created. This level of precision could have significant implications for industries that rely on precise timekeeping, such as finance, telecommunications, and transportation.
Another exciting application of quantum metrology is in the development of ultra-sensitive sensors for detecting minute changes in physical properties, such as temperature, pressure, and magnetic fields. These sensors could be used in a wide range of applications, from monitoring the Earths climate and detecting gravitational waves to diagnosing diseases and detecting chemical or biological threats.
For example, researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed a quantum sensor that can detect changes in temperature with a sensitivity that is 100 times greater than existing technologies. This level of sensitivity could be invaluable for monitoring the effects of climate change, as well as for detecting minute temperature variations in biological systems, which could lead to new diagnostic tools for diseases such as cancer.
In addition to these practical applications, quantum metrology is also helping to advance our understanding of fundamental physics. By pushing the limits of measurement accuracy, scientists are able to test the predictions of quantum mechanics and explore the boundaries between the quantum and classical worlds. This research could ultimately lead to new insights into the nature of reality and the underlying structure of the universe.
Despite the enormous potential of quantum metrology, there are still many challenges to overcome before this technology can be widely adopted. One of the main obstacles is the need for extremely stable and controlled environments to maintain the delicate quantum states required for these measurements. Researchers are also working to develop new materials and techniques that can support the complex quantum systems needed for these applications.
In conclusion, quantum metrology represents a new frontier in the quest for ever-greater measurement accuracy. By harnessing the unique properties of quantum systems, scientists are developing groundbreaking technologies that have the potential to transform industries and deepen our understanding of the universe. As research in this field continues to advance, the possibilities for quantum metrology are truly limitless.
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Quantum Metrology: The Path to Unprecedented Measurement ... - CityLife
Quantum Puzzle Solved: The Great Mystery of Quantized Vortex Motion – SciTechDaily
Visualization of quantized vortex ring above the plane (green curve), normal-fluid vortex rings (reddish half circles). Credit: Makoto Tsubota, OMU
Explaining the interaction between quantized vortices and normal fluids.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University, Florida State University, and Keio University have demystified the interaction between a quantized vortex and a normal-fluid in liquid helium-4 at cryogenic temperatures. Using advanced computation and visualization, they found a model considering normal-fluid changes and accurate mutual friction to be the most fitting.
Liquid helium-4, which is in a superfluid state at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (-273C), has a special vortex called a quantized vortex that originates from quantum mechanical effects. When the temperature is relatively high, the normal fluid exists simultaneously in the superfluid helium, and when the quantized vortex is in motion, mutual friction occurs between it and the normal-fluid. However, it is difficult to explain precisely how a quantized vortex interacts with a normal-fluid in motion. Although several theoretical models have been proposed, it has not been clear which model is correct.
A research group led by Professor Makoto Tsubota and Specially Appointed Assistant Professor Satoshi Yui, from the Graduate School of Science and the Nambu Yoichiro Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Osaka Metropolitan University respectively in cooperation with their colleagues from Florida State University and Keio University, investigated numerically the interaction between a quantized vortex and a normal-fluid. Based on the experimental results, researchers decided on the most consistent of several theoretical models. They found that a model that accounts for changes in the normal-fluid and incorporates more theoretically accurate mutual friction is the most compatible with the experimental results.
The subject of this study, the interaction between a quantized vortex and a normal-fluid, has been a great mystery since I began my research in this field 40 years ago, stated Professor Tsubota. Computational advances have made it possible to handle this problem, and the brilliant visualization experiment by our collaborators at Florida State University has led to a breakthrough. As is often the case in science, subsequent developments in technology have made it possible to elucidate, and this study is a good example of this.
Their findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on May 23, 2023.
Reference: Imaging quantized vortex rings in superfluid helium to evaluate quantum dissipation by Yuan Tang, Wei Guo, Hiromichi Kobayashi, Satoshi Yui, Makoto Tsubota and Toshiaki Kanai, 23 May 2023, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38787-w
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Quantum Puzzle Solved: The Great Mystery of Quantized Vortex Motion - SciTechDaily
Space tech to shrink as the limits of quantum physics are tested on … – University of Warwick
Scientists are to build technologies to use and study nanoparticles in space pushing the limits of quantum technologies
Nanoparticles will be used as special sensors both on Earth and in space for example measuring gravity, the density of a high-up region of the atmosphere (known as the thermosphere), and to test the limits of the quantum superposition principle.
This research is commissioned by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and involves the Universities of Strathclyde, Swansea and Warwick. It is known as Levitated Optomechanical Technologies In Space (LOTIS)
A UK-wide consortium is developing technologies to use nanoparticles as state-of-the-art sensors on small, shoebox-sized satellites known as CubeSats.
The Universities of Warwick, Swansea and Strathclyde have been awarded 250k to further research into nanoparticles and quantum physics in the application of space technology.
Recent advances in the field of levitated optomechanics (the motion of tiny particles held and measured in free space by laser light), have shown that nanoparticles can exhibit behaviours that are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics (a fundamental theory which describes how atoms and subatomic particles interact).
This has led to nanoparticles, which are a thousand times larger than an atom and a thousand times smaller than a single grain of sand, being investigated as new sensors in laboratory conditions. But scientists are yet to apply this to the real world and beyond.
Now, in an Enabling Technologies Programme funded by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), researchers are pushing the limits of quantum technology so that nanoparticles can be used as sensors in space. Levitated Optomechanical Technologies In Space (LOTIS) is an 18-month project to develop technologies to enable future space-borne devices using nanoparticles.
LOTIS will develop devices which are small, lightweight, and, rather than car-sized satellites, can fit on more compact nanosatellites the size of a shoebox, known as CubeSats. This approach dramatically lowers development and launch costs.
There are many applications for nanoparticles as sensors. Little is known of the density of the thermosphere a layer of the Earths atmosphere which begins around 80km above sea level, and this technology could shed detailed light on this. Determining the density of the region has spaceflight applications; understanding the drag experienced by satellites in orbit, helping to map their trajectories.
The project also aims to develop gravimeters (devices for measuring gravitational fields), which is especially useful back on Earth as a tool in geophysics and Earth observation. As gravity permeates through opaque objects, gravimeters can help map what is underneath the ground particularly useful for civil engineering or monitoring aquifers.
LOTIS will also underpin technologies for the proposed macroscopic quantum resonators (MAQRO) mission which seeks to test the predictions of quantum mechanics of increasingly larger objects, with greater masses. This is vital for understanding the validity of quantum mechanics which typically describes the behaviour of small objects, atoms and subatomic particles, but not objects larger than this.
Dr James Bateman, Physics, University of Swansea, said: I am thrilled to lead this UKSA project, which will create the necessary technologies to establish a functioning sensing platform for both space and terrestrial applications. Our team is comprised of experts in nanosatellites, quantum sensing, and experimental optomechanics, and this project will help to make levitated optomechanical sensors a reality.
Professor Animesh Datta, expert of Theoretical Physics at the University of Warwick, said: LOTIS is a concrete step towards the realisation of a new generation of experiments that will help shed light on the interface of quantum mechanics and gravity. I look forward to contributing to its success.
Quantum theorist Dr Daniel Oi, Physics, University of Strathclyde, added: We are developing highly sensitive sensors for satellites which are greatly reduced in size and able to perform measurements of the space environment. This is part of a wider, international quantum technology programme which will extend its applications from Earth and space bound applications.
Further details can be found here: https://levitation.wales
Image credit: Swansea University
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University of Warwick press office contact:
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Communications Officer |Press & Media Relations | University of WarwickLink opens in a new windowEmail: annie.slinn@warwick.ac.uk
22 June 2023
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Space tech to shrink as the limits of quantum physics are tested on ... - University of Warwick
A new quantum theory explains the "light-induced phase" of matter – Tech Explorist
Light-induced phases, one group of the recently discovered phases, have attracted much interest from scientists in the last ten years since they are thought to offer a viable platform for new solar panels, new chemical platforms, and a new route for contemporary quantum technologies.
A team from the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) led by a physicist recently created a new quantum theory that explains the light-induced phase of matter and forecasts its revolutionary functions. The new theory may completely alter the area of quantum photonics and quantum control at room temperature. It also makes possible several future light-based technologies, including optical communications, quantum computing, and light harvesting.
For light-harvesting devices, energy conversion, and quantum computing, the ultrafast activities of photoactive molecules, such as electron transfer and energy redistribution, typically occurring at the femtosecond scale (1015s), are of utmost relevance.
However, there are many unknowns in the studies on these processes. Since most theories on light-induced phases are constrained by time and energy scales, they cannot explain how short laser pulses affect molecules transient characteristics and ultrafast processes. These place an essential restriction on the study of light-induced phases of matter.
To overcome these challenges, Dr. Zhang and his colleagues created the first-ever unique quantum theory for the optical signals of the light-induced phases of molecules. The new theory circumvents the limitations of earlier theories and methods by using mathematical analysis and numerical simulations to explain the dynamics of molecules in their excited states and their optical properties in real time.
The novel theory combines ultrafast spectroscopy with cutting-edge quantum electrodynamics. It explains the nonlinear dynamics of molecules using contemporary algebra, laying the groundwork for cutting-edge technical applications for lasers and material characterization. Thus, it presents novel optical detection and quantum metrology principles.
Dr. Zhang Zhedong, Assistant Professor of Physics at CityU, who led the study, said,What is particularly fascinating about our new theory is that the cooperative motion of a cluster of molecules shows a wave-like behavior, which spreads over a distance. This was not achievable in conventional studies. And this collective motion can exist at room temperature instead of only in an ultralow, cryogenic temperature previously. This means that precise control and sensing of particle motion may be feasible at room temperature. This may open new research frontiers, such as collective-driven chemistry, that could potentially revolutionize the study of photochemistry.
The development of next-generation light-harvesting and -emitting devices, as well as laser operation and detection, is made easier by the new quantum theory. Bright light emission may result from the coherence from molecular cooperativity caused by light. The researchs spectroscopic probes of the light-induced phase of matter can be used to take advantage of quantum metrology and next-generation optical sensor technologies.
At a larger scale, the light-induced phases may enable various novel light-based interdisciplinary applications, such as optical communications, biological imaging, control of chemical catalysis, and designating light-harvesting devices in an energy-efficient manner.
In the near future, the researchers plan to explore the light-induced phases and their effect on quantum materials and develop new spectroscopic techniques and detection in the context of quantum entanglement.
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A new quantum theory explains the "light-induced phase" of matter - Tech Explorist