Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Physicists identify upper limit to resistivity in a pure metal

Researchers discovered a maximum amount of electrical resistance that can occur due to electron collisions, offering insights into what causes resistivity at the microscopic level. The study found that when interactions between atoms become too strong, the resistivity caused by collisions eventually stops rising and saturates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2026

Molecular coating cleans up noisy quantum light

A novel molecular coating enhances the consistency and precision of quantum light sources, increasing their spectral purity and controlling photon energy. The coating protects single-photon emitters from atmospheric contaminants, enabling reliable quantum devices for secure communications and ultra-precise sensors.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2025

Solved: 90-year-old mystery in quantum physics

Researchers at the University of Vermont found an exact solution to a model that behaves as a damped quantum harmonic oscillator. This discovery has significant implications for ultra-precision sensor technologies and the measurement of quantum distances.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2025

Overcoming the quantum sensing barrier

Researchers have demonstrated a new quantum sensing technique that surpasses conventional methods by counteracting the limitation of decoherence. The study's coherence-stabilized protocol allows for improved sensitivity and detection of subtle signals, with up to 1.65 times better efficacy per measurement.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2025

The quest for room-temperature superconductors

Physicists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that room-temperature superconductivity may be theoretically possible within the laws of our Universe. The research reveals that fundamental constants such as electron mass and Planck constant govern the upper limit of superconducting temperature, which comfortably includes ...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Physics Condensed Matter·DateMar 5, 2025

Stacked up against the rest

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to reduce optical interference and measure the quantum coherence time of moiré excitons, which are electron-hole pairs confined in moiré interference fringes. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum functionality in next-generation nano-semiconductors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Diamonds are a chip's best friend

Researchers at Kyoto University have determined the magnitude of spin-orbit interaction in acceptor-bound excitons in a semiconductor. The study revealed two triplets separated by a spin-orbit splitting of 14.3 meV, supporting the hypothesis that two positively charged holes are more strongly bound than an electron-and-hole pair.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2024

1,000 atomic qubits and rising

Researchers at TU Darmstadt have successfully demonstrated a quantum-processing architecture with over 1,000 individually controllable atomic qubits. This breakthrough enables the development of highly beneficial applications in fields such as drug development and traffic optimization.

Observing macroscopic quantum effects in the dark

Researchers from the University of Innsbruck propose an experiment to observe macroscopic quantum effects in a dark potential created by electrostatic or magnetic forces. By letting a cooled nanoscale glass sphere evolve in this non-optical environment, they aim to rapidly generate a macroscopic quantum superposition state.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 10, 2024

NIST lays groundwork for future ultra-precise timing links to geosynchronous satellites

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a capability to transmit extremely precise time signals through the air between far-flung locations, paving the way for ultra-precise timing links with geosynchronous satellites. The method enables time synchronization with femtosecond precision and robustness in atmospheric disturbances.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers enhance electron–phonon coupling strength in low-dimensional strontium ruthenate

Researchers demonstrated a 300-fold increase in electron-phonon coupling strength by reducing dimensionality, paving the way for novel engineering opportunities. The enhancement was attributed to non-local nature of coupling in synthetic SRO/STO superlattices.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Two-dimensional quantum freeze

Researchers from ETH Zurich have achieved groundbreaking cooling of a glass nanoparticle along two directions of motion, overcoming the 'Dark Mode Effect'. This breakthrough enables the creation of fragile quantum states and paves the way for ultrasensitive gyroscopes and sensors.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Theory can sort order from chaos in complex quantum systems

A new mathematical theory developed by scientists at Rice University and Oxford University can predict the nature of motions in complex quantum systems. The theory applies to any sufficiently complex quantum system and may give insights into building better quantum computers, designing solar cells, or improving battery performance.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 23, 2023

Blast chiller for the quantum world

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have demonstrated a new nonlinear cooling method, allowing massive objects to be cooled to nearly absolute zero. This breakthrough enables the observation of quantum effects on macroscopic objects, paving the way for highly sensitive quantum sensors.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

Next generation atomic clocks are a step closer to real world applications

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a transportable optical clock system that addresses key barriers to deploying quantum clocks in real-world settings. The new design can capture nearly 160,000 ultra-cold atoms within an ultra-high vacuum chamber and survive long-distance transportation, paving the way for wides...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Collaborators from Harvard University and QuEra Computing observe quantum speed-up in optimization problems

Researchers from Harvard University and QuEra Computing have demonstrated a breakthrough application of neutral-atom quantum processors to solve practical optimization problems. The team achieved unprecedented quantum hardware power, showcasing a super-linear quantum speed-up compared to classical algorithms.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Quantum marbles in a bowl of light

Researchers investigate Mandelstam-Tamm limit, finding minimum time for quantum information change depends on energy uncertainty, and second speed limit emerges when energy uncertainty exceeds average energy of atom. This discovery proves fundamental limits to quantum computers' processing power.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2021

Towards quantum states of sound

A team of researchers at Imperial College London has generated and observed non-Gaussian states of high-frequency sound waves comprising over a trillion atoms. This breakthrough makes important strides towards generating macroscopic quantum states that will enable future quantum internet components to be developed.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 9, 2021

Skoltech scientists use supercomputer to probe limits of Google’s quantum processor

Researchers used a supercomputer to emulate Google's quantum processor and discovered a reachability deficit, a performance limitation induced by a problem's constraint-to-variable ratio. The study showed that future experiments will require significantly more quantum resources to overcome this limit.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalQuantum·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

A speed limit also applies in the quantum world

Researchers at the University of Bonn have determined a minimum time for transporting cesium atoms using quantum mechanics. The study reveals that complex operations are limited by both energy uncertainty and the number of intermediate states, with implications for quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 19, 2021