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Vienna University of Technology


Diamonds are a quantum computer's best friend

Scientists propose a new quantum computer architecture based on microscopic defects in diamond, which could lead to the development of reliable quantum computers. The architecture has great potential for miniaturization and mass production, similar to how transistors were miniaturized in classical computer science.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateAug 7, 2014

New material allows for ultra-thin solar cells

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a semiconductor structure consisting of two ultra-thin layers, tungsten diselenide and molybdenum disulphide, which exhibits excellent optoelectronic properties. This material has the potential to be used in future low-cost solar cells with improved efficiency and flexibility.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 4, 2014

The quantum Cheshire cat

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology demonstrate a new quantum paradox where neutrons can be separated from their properties, allowing for more precise measurements. This 'Quantum Cheshire Cat' phenomenon shows that particles can exist in multiple states at once, making it ideal for applications requiring high precision.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2014

Boosting the force of empty space

A team of researchers from Weizmann Institute and Vienna University of Technology proposed a method to amplify vacuum fluctuations by several orders of magnitude using a transmission line. This could lead to enhanced understanding of Casimir- and Van der Waals forces, with potential applications in quantum information processing.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

Sweet sweet straw

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a method to produce erythritol, a natural sweetener, from ordinary straw using genetically modified mould fungi. The process eliminates the need for expensive enzymes and molasses, making it more sustainable.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAMB Express·DateJun 24, 2014

Laser physics upside down

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a system of coupled lasers that exhibit paradoxical behavior. By adding or reducing energy, the lasers can switch each other on or off, making them suitable for building logical circuits using light.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2014

Chemical sensor on a chip

A new type of sensor has been developed at the Vienna University of Technology using miniaturized laser technology, allowing for the analysis of liquids and gases. The sensor can measure the composition of liquids with an accuracy of 0.06%, opening up potential applications in chemical, biological, and medical analytics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 11, 2014

Shaken, not stirred: Control over complex systems consisting of many quantum particles

Researchers at TU Vienna develop a new method to utilize quantum mechanical vibrations for high precision measurements in complex multi-particle systems. They successfully control hundreds of Rubidium atoms in an ultracold Bose-Einstein condensate, enabling the use of collective motional states for interferometric measurements.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2014

Laser light needs more bass

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology create an 'optical synthesizer' that combines different frequencies to form a characteristic laser waveform, similar to music. This enables the creation of attosecond pulse radiation hundreds of times more intense than previous methods.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 21, 2014

Searching for dark energy with neutrons

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have made extremely sensitive measurements of gravitational effects using neutrons, providing limits on possible new particles or fundamental forces that are restrictive even compared to previous estimations. The findings shed light on the possibility of dark energy and quintessence theories.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2014

Atomically thin solar cells

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created the world's thinnest solar cells using tungsten diselenide, a material that can absorb light and convert it into electrical power. The ultrathin layers exhibit high transparency and efficiency, making them suitable for flexible displays and glass facades.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 9, 2014

Recipe for a universe

Researchers have mathematically described the phase transition between a boring empty space and an expanding universe containing mass. The theory connects quantum field theory and Einstein's relativity, suggesting that time and space can undergo a phase transition similar to liquid-solid transitions.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 10, 2013

A single-atom light switch

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology develop a single-atom light switch that can redirect light between two fibre optic cables. The system utilizes a Rubidium atom to act as a switch, allowing for the manipulation of light and enabling quantum phenomena for information and communication technology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2013

Creating electricity with caged atoms

A team of researchers at the Vienna University of Technology has created a new class of thermoelectric materials with exceptional properties. The material's unique crystal structure and trapped magnetic atoms create a high voltage when hot and cold objects are connected, making it more efficient than previous materials.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 22, 2013

TU Vienna develops light transistor

The TU Vienna has successfully developed a light transistor that can be controlled by an electrical potential, enabling efficient miniaturization and use in optical computers. This breakthrough utilizes terahertz radiation and the Faraday effect to rotate the polarization direction of light.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2013

Data highways for quantum information

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have demonstrated experimentally that ultra-thin glass fibers can store quantum information long enough to be used for entangling atoms hundreds of kilometers apart. This is a fundamental building block for a global fiber-based quantum communication network.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 12, 2013

The dance of the atoms

Scientists at the Vienna University of Technology have observed and explained the dance of atoms on iron-oxide surfaces. They found that carbon monoxide is the partner responsible for rapid motion, which leads to clustering and reduces the effectiveness of catalysts. A hydroxyl coating of the surface can suppress this effect.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 10, 2013

Molecular switch for cheaper biofuel

Researchers have identified a genetic mutation that allows fungi to continuously produce enzymes for breaking down cellulose and xylan into sugar molecules. This discovery enables the production of cheap biofuel from lignocellulose, reducing competition with food production and making it more economically viable.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels·DateJun 3, 2013

Atoms with quantum memory

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have discovered an intermediate state between order and disorder in ultra cold Bose-Einstein condensates. This prethermalized state retains quantum memory for a surprisingly long time, characterized by a new length scale that emerges from the initial quantum gas.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2013

Catalytic converters like it hot

Researchers have discovered that the critical temperature for catalytic ignition depends on the material used and crystallographic orientation of metal granules. The findings suggest that a more efficient catalytic converter can be built by optimizing these factors, potentially reducing emissions and costs.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 8, 2012

The laser beam as a '3-D painter'

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology developed a method called 3D-photografting, which allows them to attach molecules at exact positions. This technique can be used to grow artificial biological tissue with specific inner structures and create tiny three-dimensional 'labs on a chip' for sensor technology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 27, 2012

Bright X-ray flashes created in laser lab

An international team of scientists has successfully created bright coherent x-ray radiation using a new method developed at the Vienna University of Technology. This breakthrough enables the production of high-energy x-rays with short wavelengths, making it suitable for various applications such as materials science and medicine.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2012

The finest gold dust in the world

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology found a special iron-oxide surface that locks single gold atoms in place, allowing them to study the chemical reactivity of individual atoms. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient catalysts, requiring less precious material.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 30, 2012

Jupiter's 'Trojans' on an atomic scale

Researchers successfully stabilized electron orbits using an electromagnetic field, mimicking Jupiter's gravitational influence on asteroids. The experiment verifies calculations made at Vienna University of Technology and holds promise for future studies on the quantum-world of tiny objects.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 25, 2012

The perfect liquid -- now even more perfect

Physicists at Vienna University of Technology have found a way to break the limits on viscosity, with implications for understanding superfluid helium and quantum theory. The results, published in Physical Review Letters, suggest quark-gluon-plasma can exhibit extremely low viscosity, even below previously established bounds.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2012

Are you certain, Mr. Heisenberg?

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology distinguish different sources of quantum uncertainty, including fundamental uncertainty rooted in the particle itself. The study confirms the validity of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle while revealing a more nuanced understanding of quantum mechanics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 16, 2012