National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Achieves Record Quantum Teleportation Distance

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have "teleported" or transferred quantum information carried in light particles over 100 kilometers (km) of optical fiber, four times farther than the previous record.

The experiment confirmed that quantum communication is feasible over long distances in fiber. Other research groups have teleported quantum information over longer distances in free space, but the ability to do so over conventional fiber-optic lines offers more flexibility for network design. The experiment used photons to transfer the information.

A photon is a single particle of light. It is an elementary particle that exhibits both particle and wave properties; wave–particle duality. The study of photons usually falls under but not limited to quantum mechanics.

Photons have many real world applications. Solar energy cells use photons to convert sunlight to energy. Some systems like the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) use it to generate images. The mass of photons was one of the factors that lead researchers at CERN in the Large Hadron Collider to help discover the Higgs Particle. Even in science fiction, the photon torpedo or photon gun is part of a spaceship's arsenal.

Entangled Photon Emitter That Fits in Computer Chip Developed

Researchers at the Università degli Studi di Pavia in Italy has developed a component that can generate a steady stream of entangled photons. This device, called a micro-ring resonator, is tiny enough to fit in a standard silicon computer chip.

Entanglement may be the foundation of a new way to connect and transmit information. Entanglement is the mysterious connection between two particles where they interact with each other physically even when separated; regardless of distance. Einstein was quoted as describing this property as 'spooky action at a distance'.

In theory, even if the two photons are galaxies apart, they still interact with each other.

Current entangled photon emitters are too big to fit in a computer chip. The development of this micro-ring resonator is a step forward to secure communications and faster computers.

The resonators are loops etched onto the silicon chip. They can corral and re-emit particles of light as illustrated in the image above of the silicon ring resonator with its access waveguide. In the image, the green wave at the input represents the laser pump, the red and blue wave-packets at the output represent the generated photon pairs, and the infinity symbol linking the two outputs indicates the entanglement between the pair of photons.

Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID) Open Up Practical Applications For Superconductivity

Devices sensitive enough to detect and measure minute changes of magnetic fields, called superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), are opening up practical application of superconductivity outside the laboratory. Some applications that can benefit from using SQUIDs are magnetically levitating (maglev) trains, earthquake detectors, and even solar power cells.

Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity in 1911 during an experiment involving mercury and liquid helium. When a material's temperature is reduced to a certain threshold, its electrical resistance falls down to zero and the expulsion of its magnetic fields occur. Materials that can achieve superconductive are metals and ceramic materials.

The temperature at which superconductivity occurs vary from material to material. Mercury, for example, achieves superconductivity when its temperature is lowered to 4.1K.

Without electrical resistance, an electric current can persist indefinitely even without a power source. There is no power loss with superconductors and that any existing power in a superconductive wire will forever flow in it. Superconducting wires can conduct much larger currents than ordinary wire which create much more intense magnetic fields around them.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, mass spectrometers, and even particle accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider use superconducting magnets (electromagnets made from coils of superconducting wires.).

Last year, a research team at the University of Toronto induced high temperature superconductivity in a semiconductor by just using ordinary scotch tape.

Heat Dissipation at the Atomic Level Studied Through Nanotechnology

Researchers at the University of Michigan are studying the effects of heat at the nanoscale; between atoms. This study will help in understanding how heat behaves in nanoscale systems.

Moore's Law states that the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years. This equates to computing processing power doubling every two years. For the last 50 years, the trend in computers and electronics adheres to Moore's law but technological evolution is fast approaching to the limit of transistors that can fit into a single silicon chip.

At last count, the current record for most number of transistors put on a chip is 2 billion.

With circuit boards getting smaller and smaller, one factor that scientists and engineers look at is heat. As devices get smaller and smaller, the laws of thermodynamics particularly in heat transfer and heat dissipation gets complicated.

The UM researchers are looking at measuring this process at the nanoscale which is the behavior of heat between individual atoms. This study can help develop devices that are smaller, energy efficient, and faster than those currently available. This is a major hurdle for Moore's Law since technology is now going towards atomic scale nano-electronics.

Because of this, the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors in 2010 adjusted the law and changed the period from every two years to every three years.

Overcoming Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle In Polarization of Light Through The Direct Measurement Technique

Weak measurement: as light goes through a birefringent crystal the horizontally and vertically polarized components of light spread out in space, but an overlap between the two components remains when they emerge. In a “strong” measurement the two components would be fully separated.
Credit: Credit: Jonathan Leach

Researchers have developed a new technique that overcomes Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle in measuring the polarization states of light.

The Uncertainty Principle was developed by a German theoretical physicist, Werner Karl Heisenberg. Known also as Heisenberg's Principle, the Uncertainty Principle states that the position and velocity cannot both be accurately known or measured at the same time. One may know the exact position but not the velocity and vice-versa.

This principle is one of the most famous underlying principle of quantum mechanics. In classical physics, it is easy to determine the exact momentum and position of a passing car at a specific time. But in quantum mechanics, where objects studied are at atomic and sub-atomic sizes, measuring both of these variables accurately at the same time becomes a problem.

This can be observed through the embedded video which shows MIT Professor Walter Lewin demonstrating the uncertainty principle with laser light. In it, he shows that as the position of the photons in the laser becomes more and more accurate, the direction of the laser light becomes wider and wider making it impossible to gauge its direction.

Recently, researchers believe they have a developed a technique that works around this bizarre behavior. This could lead to using light to encode information that can be read by quantum computers.

New Method To Cool Down Antimatter Using Lasers Proposed

Researchers have proposed using lasers to cool down highly energetic anti-hydrogen atoms to better study its properties.

Antimatter is matter that carries an opposite charge and spin. An electron's antimatter counterpart is the positron. The electron is negatively charged while the positron is positively charged. The antimatter counterpart of a positively charged proton is a negative charge antiproton.

When antimatter collides with matter, they destroy each other and release energy in a process called annihilation. It must be noted that despite having opposite charges and quantum spin, both particles still carry positive energy.

In 1929, Dmitri Skobeltsyn and Chung-Yao Chao were the first to observe positrons in separate experiments. They noted that the observed particles behaved like electrons but curved in the opposite direction in an applied magnetic field. Neither scientists pursued the anomaly.

It was in 1932, that the positron was officially discovered by Carl D. Anderson, who also coined the term "positron". He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1936 for the discovery.

In 1995, physicists at CERN for the first time produced nine anti-hydrogen atoms. This was done by combining one positron and one antiproton. This was followed up by Fermilab which produced 100 antihydrogen atoms.

The resulting antihydrogen atoms proved to be too energetic or "hot" for it to be observed and studied carefully. Subsequent experiments like CERN's Antiproton Decelerator in 1999 managed to lower its energy levels but was still difficult to study.

In 2005, CERN formed the ALPHA collaboration (Antihydrogen laser physics apparatus) whose primary goal is to create less energetic ("cold") antihydrogen atoms that are better suited to study

Photon Detector Reads In Four States With An Error Rate Four Times Lower Than Previous Devices

Researchers at the The Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) established a new standard for reading quantum information in detecting photons with a minimum of uncertainty. By using a network of photon detectors with feedback instead of a single passive detector, the JQI photodetector beats the quantum limit by a factor of 4.

They reported their findings in the journal, Nature Photonics.

PHOTONS

A photon is a single particle of light. It is an elementary particle that exhibits both particle and wave properties; wave–particle duality. The study of photons usually falls under but not limited to quantum mechanics.

Photons have many real world applications. Solar energy cells use photons to convert sunlight to energy. Some systems like the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) use it to generate images. The mass of photons was one of the factors that lead researchers at CERN in the Large Hadron Collider to help discover the Higgs Particle. Even in science fiction, the photon torpedo or photon gun is part of a spaceship's arsenal.

It is even being studied as a data carrier in quantum computer processors.

PHOTON DETECTORS

The most basic device used in studying photons is the photon detector. It is used to count how many photon particles there are in a beam of light. A photon detector has some surface that absorbs photons and produces some effect (current, voltage) proportional to the number of photons absorbed.

But as with most detectors, there will be "noise" or factors that affect its reading of the data. Especially in quantum mechanics where some fundamental principles are still unclear (like wave-particle duality).

Light Pulses From Quark Gluon Plasma To Accurately Measure Time in Septillionths of a Second

Scientists have proposed using the light pulse emitted by a quark gluon plasma, a newly discovered state of matter, as a way of measuring time at precise levels of yoctoseconds which is a septillionth of a second (1x10^-24).

A quark gluon plasma (QGP) is a new state of matter that results from the collision of two nuclei. It is made up of two of matters building blocks, the quark and the gluon.

The image illustrates two lead atoms colliding to form a quark gluon plasma which in turn emits a short light pulse.

Quarks and Gluons

Quarks are one of the tiniest building blocks of matter. The proton and neutron inside an atom are made up of these quarks. A particle made up of quarks is called a hadron. Particles made up of quarks are called hadrons.

Using 'Hidden Influence Inequality' To Explain Quantum Nonlocality

In 1964, physicist John Stewart Bell published his paper, "On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen paradox". In the paper, he derived his theorem, Bells Theorem, that states that - No physical theory of local hidden variables can ever reproduce all of the predictions of quantum mechanics. Local hidden variables refers to realism and the local causality theory where combined, it meant that distant events are assumed to have no instantaneous (or at least faster-than-light) effect on local ones.

This meant that classical mechanics cannot explain everything that is going on in quantum mechanics.

Hybrid Quantum Dot-Superconducting Resonator Device Developed For Quantum Computers

A classical computer holds information in bits. It is comparable to a series of switches that can be either off (0) or on (1). In a quantum computer, the fundamental unit is the qubit. A photon or electron is usually used for this. It is similar to a bit, using its spin, it can be in a 'down' spin (0) or an 'up' spin (1), or it can be both at the same time, a superposition state.

This property is unique in quantum mechanics. Because of superposition, a quantum computer can process a problem much faster than a classical computer can. Instead of solving a problem or initiating a process one step at a time like a classical computer, a quantum computer can do it all in one step.

CERN Celebrates Its 58th Anniversary Bringing Humanity to the Forefront of Science and the Universe

CERN or the European Organization for Nuclear Research celebrates its 58th anniversary this year. Originally, CERN stood for Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (European Council for Nuclear Research).

In July 1953, 12 member states established the CERN convention. They envisioned creating a European laboratory focused on atomic physics which would unite European scientists together and also share in the cost of maintaining such a facility.

The 12 founding member states were Belgium, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. On 29 September 1954, CERN was ratified and the facility was renamed to its present name, The European Organization for Nuclear Research. Despite this, the original acronym, CERN, remained.

58 years later, CERN has been in the forefront of science contributing major studies such as the construction of the Large Hadron Collider used in the search for the Higgs-Boson, the creation of the first anti-matter (anti-hydrogen in 1995) and even contributing its technology to solar power panels. These are but a few of the fruits of CERN's research.

Even the World Wide Web was invented in CERN's laboratories by Tim Berners-Lee and a computer created by Steve Jobs. CERN is not only about serious science, they also host an annual film festival showcasing films that deal with science related subjects, the CinéGlobe International Film Festival at CERN.

Simple Beginnings

When the CERN convention was established, the members decided that the lab and research facility will be erected in Geneva. They picked a patch of green fields where, Nobel physicist Felix Bloch laid the first stone of CERN (together with a time capsule) in what then was the largest building site in Europe.

CERN has gone through a lot of changes. It was not the only nuclear and science facilities around. But through it all, it has emerged as the premier nuclear research facility in the 21st century. Until now, they tackle such subjects as faster than light neutrinos, the use of anti-protons for cancer therapy, and even studying the Sun for yet undiscovered particles called axions.

CERN, 58 years later, still delves into Nobel Prize winning research and studies to bring humanity to the forefront of science and the universe.

A Brief History of CERN

At the end of the Second World War, European science was no longer the crème de la crème. Following the example of the now mushrooming international organizations, a handful of visionary scientists imagined creating a European atomic physics laboratory. Raoul Dautry, Pierre Auger and Lew Kowarski in France, Edoardo Amaldi in Italy and Niels Bohr in Denmark were among these pioneers. Such a laboratory would not only unite European scientists but also allow them to share the increasing costs of nuclear physics facilities.

Physicists Devise A Way Using Squeezed Light In Measuring Distance

Non-classical light is light that has characteristics described through quantum mechanics and not using real world or classical properties. One type of non-classical light is squeezed light.

Squeezed light put simply is light that is manipulated in the quantum level through the generation of photons. Since the number of photons in a beam of light is random, squeezed light is generated with a steady number of photons in the beam. It can be said that the number of photons travelling in the light beam from squeezed light is a constant.

The result of using squeezed light is that quantum noise (random fluctuations in the wavelength) is reduced significantly. This makes measuring distance and targets more precise. Also with less noise, transmitted signals are clearer.

Since the photons are constant in squeezed light with minimal quantum noise, any fluctuations recorded are from outside source and not a result of that noise.

Applications for squeezed light range from using it for communication (fiber optics), measuring distance, and detecting gravitational waves. It is also being used in quantum cryptography where code keys are transmitted via squeezed light.

Light squeezed on a quantum scale

An international team of physicists has pushed the boundaries on ultra-precise measurement by harnessing quantum light waves in a new way.

It is one thing to be able to measure spectacularly small distances using "squeezed" light, but it is now possible to do this even while the target is moving around.

An Australian-Japanese research collaboration made the breakthrough in an experiment conducted at the University of Tokyo, the results of which have been published in an article, "Quantum-enhanced optical phase tracking" in the prestigious journal, Science.

Ultra Cold Atom Physics Experiment Delves Deep Into Bose-Einstein Condensates

Ultra cold atomic physics is a field of quantum mechanics. It deals with the observation and experimentation of atoms that are brought down to a temperature close to absolute zero.

To cool down these atoms, scientist uses two techiques, laser cooling and evaporative cooling. Atoms in an optical or magnetic trap are subjected to the cooling process and the hotter atoms are ejected from the trap leaving in the ultra cooled atoms.

Since it is impossible to lower the temperature of an object to absolute zero (as stated in the 3rd law of thermodynamics), atoms are cooled down as close to absolute zero as possible (1 nanokelvin). In 2003, MIT Researchers achieved the lowest temperature which is .45 nK (nano kelvin) or 4.5 x 10-10 K or 0.00000000045 K.

A fundamental principle of cold atom physics is the Bose-Einstein Condensate. This is a property of ultra cold atoms where they merge together and form a new form of matter. The underlying principle here is that when subject to ultra low temperatures, atom which behaves as particles, will start to manifest more wave-like properties. Ultimately, all other surrounding atoms will start to vibrate at the same frequency or have the same wavelength, forming one single mass - the Bose-Einstein Condensate.

Cold atom physicsand quantum mechanics have lots to offer in real world applications. Mag-Lev (Magnetic levitation) trains, quantum computers, and even Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) use its basic principles.

Experiment in University of Florida laboratory corrects prediction in quantum theory

An international team of scientists is rewriting a page from the quantum physics rulebook using a University of Florida laboratory once dubbed the coldest spot in the universe.

Much of what we know about quantum mechanics is theoretical and tested via computer modeling because quantum systems, like electrons whizzing around the nucleus of an atom, are difficult to pin down for observation. One can, however, slow particles down and catch them in the quantum act by subjecting them to extremely cold temperatures. New research, published in the Sept. 20 edition of the journal Nature, describes how this freeze-frame approach was recently used to overturn an accepted rule of thumb in quantum theory.

"We are in the age of quantum mechanics," said Neil Sullivan, a UF physics professor and director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory High B/T Facility on the UF campus -- home of the Microkelvin lab where experiments can be conducted in near-absolute zero temperatures. "If you've had an MRI, you have made use of a quantum technology."

The magnet that powers an MRI scanner is a superconducting coil transformed into a quantum state by very cold liquid helium. Inside the coil, electric current flows friction free.

High Temperature Superconductivity Achieved Using Ordinary Scotch Tape

University of Toronto physics professor Ken Burch with experimental apparatus and tape.
Credit: Diana Tyszko, Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto

Superconductivity occurs when objects or materials that are super cooled or cooled below a certain temperature achieves no (zero) electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields. Required temperatures usually approaches absolute zero. This phenomenon is quantum mechanical in nature and is characterized by the Meissner effect.

The Meissner effect is an expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor during its transition to the superconducting state.

The electrical resistance of a material slowly goes down as temperature is lowered. When it is cooled below its critical temperature, a superconductor's resistance drops to zero. Without any electrical resistance, an electric current can persist indefinitely even without a power source. Simply put, there is no power loss with superconductors and that any existing power in a superconductive wire will forever flow in it.

University of Toronto led team induces high temperature superconductivity in a semiconductor with Scotch tape

An international team led by University of Toronto physicists has developed a simple new technique using Scotch poster tape that has enabled them to induce high-temperature superconductivity in a semiconductor for the first time. The method paves the way for novel new devices that could be used in quantum computing and to improve energy efficiency.

"Who would have thought simply sticking things together can generate entirely new effects?" said team leader and U of T physicist Ken Burch. High-temperature superconductors are materials that conduct electricity without heating up and losing energy at liquid nitrogen temperatures. They are currently in use for transmitting electricity with low loss and as the building blocks of the next generation of devices (quantum computers).