In the realm of quantum mechanics, proximity reigns supreme. The closer atoms are, the stronger their interactions become. This characteristic is crucial for various quantum phenomena, making it essential for scientists to arrange atoms in close proximity when designing quantum simulators. These simulators allow researchers to explore exotic states of matter and design novel quantum … Read more
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. Predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity in 1915, these waves were detected for the first time in 2015, marking a revolutionary breakthrough in astrophysics and opening a new window … Read more
Quantum physics requires high-precision sensing techniques to delve deeper into the microscopic properties of materials. From the analog quantum processors that have emerged recently, quantum-gas microscopes have proven to be powerful tools for understanding quantum systems at the atomic level. These devices produce images of quantum gases with very high resolution: They allow individual atoms … Read more
Researchers have explained the mechanisms behind a counterintuitive phenomenon: Making a phase transition effective requires less energy if it is initiated by two pulses of light instead of just one. The energy needed to complete the phase transition has been reduced by 6% and could be further optimized. These results have the potential to be … Read more
In principle, one shouldn’t compare apples to oranges. However, in topology, which is a branch of mathematics, one must do just that. Apples and oranges, it turns out, are said to be topologically the same since they both lack a hole—in contrast to doughnuts or coffee cups, for instance, which both have one (the handle … Read more
Scientists at the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in ultraviolet spectroscopy. Led by Nathalie Picqué, their pioneering work has propelled dual-comb spectroscopy into the realm of low-light conditions, expanding its potential applications across diverse scientific and technological domains. Ultraviolet spectroscopy plays a pivotal role in scrutinizing electronic transitions in atoms … Read more
Fusion is a natural phenomenon that provides our planet with much of its energy—generated millions of miles away in the center of our sun. Here on Earth, scientists are trying to replicate the hot and dense conditions that lead to fusion. In the center of a star, gravitational pressures and high temperatures—around 200 million degrees … Read more
Making quantum systems more scalable is one of the key requirements for the further development of quantum computers because the advantages they offer become increasingly evident as the systems are scaled up. Researchers at TU Darmstadt have recently taken a decisive step toward achieving this goal. Quantum processors based on two-dimensional arrays of optical tweezers, … Read more