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Electrifying discoveries: Researchers film the first moments on the way from light to electricity

Researchers successfully film the generation of electrical energy from light, providing a fundamental understanding of the physical processes involved in organic solar cells. The study, published in Physical Review X, reveals the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of excitons in the first moments of their existence.

SourceUniversity of Graz·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2026

Zooming in: Electron orbitals photographed in 3D

Physicists have developed a method to visualize three-dimensional wavefunctions of molecules, enabling the study of molecular interactions. The technique, which uses a table-top soft-X-ray laser and powerful computer algorithms, allows for the imaging of features smaller than atomic scales.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2026

Quantum dynamics breakthrough overturns claim of ‘quantum supremacy,’ opens new research directions

Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and Boston University have developed a new technique using tensor networks to simulate complex quantum systems, demonstrating that classical computers can tackle previously thought-to-be-solvable-only-by-quantum-computers problems. This breakthrough opens new avenues for research on quantum dynamics.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalScience·DateMay 21, 2026

Novel quantum materials in the spotlight

German physicist Christian Schneider has been awarded a European Research Council Consolidator Grant to study the optical properties of two-dimensional materials. His team plans to develop experimental set-ups to investigate the unique properties of these materials, which could lead to new applications in quantum technologies.

Absorption of light by molecules has applications in microscopy, medicine and data storage

A Brazilian physicist has developed an alternative method that reduces calculation time for simulating light absorption by molecules from two days to a few hours. This allows for high-resolution microscopy and the creation of precise 3D structures for data storage, with potential applications in medicinal treatments.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 11, 2023

Portable and affordable all-optical system for testing lab-on-a-chip human hearts

Researchers have developed a novel portable and low-cost macroscopic mapping system for all-optical cardiac electrophysiology using optogenetics and machine vision cameras. The system can stimulate and image engineered networks of human heart cells, providing insights into cardiac wave function and stability.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 11, 2023

Chaos gives the quantum world a temperature

Computer simulations demonstrate that chaos plays a crucial role in the emergence of thermodynamic behavior from quantum theory. A quantum system with indistinguishable particles and a thermometer-like particle shows a temperature distribution consistent with Boltzmann's rules only when the system exhibits chaos.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalEntropy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2022

Neural networks and ‘ghost’ electrons accurately reconstruct behavior of quantum systems

Physicists have created a way to simulate quantum entanglement between interacting particles using neural networks and fictitious 'ghost' electrons. This approach enables accurate predictions of molecule behavior, which could lead to breakthroughs in pharmaceutical development and material design.

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 3, 2022

Collapsing a leading theory for the quantum origin of consciousness

A series of FQXi-funded experiments deep under the Italian mountains failed to find evidence in support of a gravity-related quantum collapse model, undermining the feasibility of this explanation for consciousness. The team used an extremely sensitive cylindrical detector and reported no spontaneous radiation signals after running the...

SourceFoundational Questions Institute, FQXi·JournalPhysics of Life Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

Increasing the accuracy of atomic force calculations with the space-warp coordinate transformation

Researchers developed a space-warp coordinate transformation (SWCT) method to accurately calculate atomic forces for elements with high atomic numbers. The study used quantum Monte Carlo simulations and found that the SWCT method reduces computational costs, resulting in more accurate calculations.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 6, 2022

Quantum mechanics affects light emission

Researchers found that quantum mechanics' influence on particles affects light emission, demonstrating wavefunction collapse and altering interference patterns. The study sheds new light on the counter-intuitive phenomenon, revealing a direct connection between light emission and quantum entanglement.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 2021

Rethinking spin chemistry from a quantum perspective

A team from Osaka City University developed a quantum algorithm that can accurately calculate energy differences between the electronic ground and excited spin states of open-shell molecular systems. This breakthrough enables efficient calculations for complex molecules, potentially revolutionizing chemical and industrial applications.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalChemical Science·DateJan 18, 2021

Researchers have developed a first-principles quantum Monte Carlo package called TurboRVB

Researchers have developed TurboRVB, a first-principles quantum Monte Carlo package that overcomes drawbacks of density functional theory and wavefunction-based calculations. The code features resonating valence bond-type wave functions, state-of-the-art optimization algorithms, and lattice-regularized diffusion Monte Carlo method.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJun 1, 2020

2,000 atoms in two places at once

Researchers at the University of Vienna and University of Basel successfully create a quantum superposition in hot, complex molecules composed of nearly 2,000 atoms. The experiment sets new constraints on alternative theories to quantum mechanics, demonstrating the robustness of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 1, 2019

Quantum momentum

Researchers developed a new quantum-mechanical model to measure momentum of particles using a classical concept: time-of-flight. They achieved precise calculations by estimating probabilistic positions and distances between pointers coupled to moving wave packets.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateAug 7, 2019

Quantum chemistry on quantum computers

Researchers at Osaka City University develop a quantum algorithm to determine spin quantum numbers on quantum computers, enabling accurate wave function calculations. This breakthrough solves complex issues in chemistry and physics, accelerating the development of practical quantum computers.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateJul 8, 2019

Researchers demonstrate 'quantum surrealism'

New research by Aephraim Steinberg and colleagues shows that quantum particles can exhibit 'surrealistic' behavior, contradicting the De Broglie-Bohm theory's claim of realistic trajectories. The findings suggest that non-locality is key to understanding these seemingly 'surreal' paths.

SourceCIFAR·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2016

Conductor turned insulator amid disorder

Researchers have discovered a multifractal spatial structure in disordered materials that can turn them from conductors to insulators. This finding has significant implications for understanding the behavior of disordered materials, which are found in amorphous solids like glass and biological tissue.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 2, 2015

Can the wave function of an electron be divided and trapped?

Physicists at Brown University have successfully trapped parts of an electron's wave function in liquid helium, a phenomenon that could fundamentally change our understanding of quantum mechanics. The discovery raises questions about the measurement process and the nature of particles at the quantum level.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Low Temperature Physics·DateOct 28, 2014

No qualms about quantum theory

A colloquium paper reviews selected issues with quantum theory, clarifying the distinction between mathematical tools and physical phenomena. The author debunks myths surrounding Schrödinger's cat state, measurement problem, and other misconceptions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateNov 26, 2013