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Helping superconductors turn up the heat

Researchers at the University of Miami introduced a breakthrough theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity. The team found that specific quantum effects can generate superpositions of individual states, providing an effective glue to repair the system and allow superconducting behavior to emerge.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJun 18, 2012

The impact of quantum matter

Researchers at the Joint Quantum Institute create more complicated collisions between atoms using laser light, enabling the observation of high-angular-momentum scattering in long-lived atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. This innovation may facilitate the creation of exotic quantum states for practical applications like quantum computing.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2011

1 clock with 2 times

Researchers at the University of Vienna aim to measure general relativistic time on a quantum scale by exploiting quantum interference and complementarity. They consider a single clock in a superposition of two locations, one closer and one further away from Earth, where gravity's effects are different.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2011

A new scheme for photonic quantum computing

A new scheme, 'coherent photon conversion', offers a method for coherent conversion between different photon states using a strong laser field. This approach promises to solve open challenges in optical quantum computation and lead to the development of a nonlinear optical quantum computer.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateOct 13, 2011

Can we detect quantum behavior in viruses?

A German-Spanish research group has developed an experiment to test for quantum properties in objects composed of one billion atoms, including the flu virus. This technique could potentially allow researchers to study life and consciousness in the context of quantum mechanics.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 11, 2010

Photons led astray

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have demonstrated that quantum particles can take both possible paths simultaneously in a random walk, leading to interference patterns and increased intensity at the edges. This breakthrough could provide new insights into statistical processes like photosynthesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 16, 2010

Caltech physicists propose quantum entanglement for motion of microscopic objects

Researchers at Caltech propose a new approach to observe quantum behavior in small mechanical systems by levitating the object with intense laser beams. This allows for dramatic reduction of environmental noise, enabling observation of diverse manifestations of quantum behavior even at room temperature.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2009

Tossing a coin in the microcosm

Physicists at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a quantum walk, a superposition of heads and tails states in an atomic 'coin', and found unusual effects when observing the particle. This research paves the way for new algorithms, including search processes, that can process information much faster than classical methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

Q is for quantum and 'Q-life'

Researchers discuss how physics is changing our understanding of cells, brain function, and the potential role of quantum mechanics in biology. Paul Davies suggests that fundamental quantum processes could be key to understanding life's origins.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateJul 7, 2009

Quantum computing with individual atoms

The University of Michigan researchers have successfully cooled a single atom to near absolute zero using laser cooling, a crucial step toward scaling up trapped atom computers. The proposal outlines a 'quantum charge-coupled device' architecture that could be used for large-scale quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2002