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Category: particle physics – Page 27

Engineers advance toward a fault-tolerant quantum computer

In the future, quantum computers could rapidly simulate new materials or help scientists develop faster machine‐learning models, opening the door to many new possibilities.

But these applications will only be possible if quantum computers can perform operations extremely quickly, so scientists can make measurements and perform corrections before compounding error rates reduce their accuracy and reliability.

The efficiency of this measurement process, known as readout, relies on the strength of the coupling between photons, which are particles of light that carry , and artificial atoms, units of matter that are often used to store information in a quantum computer.

Molecular engineering approach could boost hydrogen evolution reaction activity by up to 50 times in alkaline media

Electrolyzers are devices that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity and via a process known as electrolysis. In the future, these devices could help to produce hydrogen gas from water, which is valuable for a wide range of applications and could also be used to power fuel cells and decarbonize energy systems.

At the core of the water electrolysis process are electrochemical reactions known as hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). In basic (i.e., alkaline) conditions, these reactions tend to be slow, which in turn hinders the performance of electrolyzers.

In recent years, energy researchers have been trying to design new electrode-aqueous interfaces or identify that could speed up HERs and thus enhance the ability of electrolyzers to produce hydrogen. One of the HER catalysts most employed to date is platinum, yet its performance is limited by a process known as hydrogen binding. This process entails the strong adherence of hydrogen atoms to its surface, which can block reaction sites and slow down HERs.

Synchrotron in a closet: Bringing powerful 3D X-ray microscopy to smaller labs

For the first time, researchers can study the microstructures inside metals, ceramics and rocks with X-rays in a standard laboratory without needing to travel to a particle accelerator, according to a study led by University of Michigan engineers.

The work is published in the journal Nature Communications.

The new technique makes 3D X-ray diffraction—known as 3DXRD—more readily accessible, potentially enabling quick analysis of samples and prototypes in academia and industry, as well as providing more opportunities for students.

Advanced digital detector array enhances charged-particle decay studies

Exotic nuclei near and beyond the proton drip line exhibit a range of unique decay processes, including β-delayed proton emission, α decay, and direct proton radioactivity. Spectroscopic studies utilizing high-efficiency, low-threshold detection systems have become essential for exploring the intricate properties of these nuclei.

In research, play a crucial role as their characteristics can provide key clues for revealing the nature of nuclear forces and testing nuclear structure theoretical models. However, due to the extreme rarity and difficulty in measuring these decay processes, related research has always faced numerous challenges.

Large-scale cryopump developed for fuel/helium separation in fusion applications

A research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a novel large-scale compound cryopump (multi-stage cryopump) capable of separating fuel particles from helium ash.

Designed to meet the demanding requirements of radiation resistance and efficient gas handling, the cryopump features an innovative structural configuration and utilizes a new fabrication technique. The researchers developed a process for bonding activated charcoal to cryogenic panels using an inorganic cryo-adhesive, ensuring long-term stability under . The full-scale prototype measures 1.2 meters in diameter, includes a 0.58-meter valve opening, and weighs 4 tons.

Cryopumps based on adsorption technology are widely recognized as essential components in systems. They offer large pumping speeds, broad temperature tolerance, and strong resistance to harsh electromagnetic and nuclear conditions. These capabilities are critical for the removal of unburned and helium ash—key to maintaining plasma stability and enabling sustained fusion reactions.

Atomic-Scale Imaging Unlocks New Paths to Next-Gen Superconductors

Atomic-scale imaging reveals that chalcogen atoms play a crucial role in Cooper pairing in Fe-based superconductors, offering new insights into high-Tc superconductivity mechanisms. Superconductivity in quantum materials, whether the Cooper pairing on the Fermi surface is mediated by phonons or b

Flares from magnetized stars can forge planets’ worth of gold

Astronomers have discovered a previously unknown birthplace of some of the universe’s rarest elements: a giant flare unleashed by a supermagnetized star. The astronomers calculated that such flares could be responsible for forging up to 10% of our galaxy’s gold, platinum and other heavy elements.

The discovery also resolves a decades-long mystery concerning a bright flash of light and particles spotted by a space telescope in December 2004. The light came from a magnetar—a type of star wrapped in magnetic fields trillions of times as strong as Earth’s—that had unleashed a giant .

The powerful blast of radiation only lasted a few seconds, but it released more energy than the sun does in 1 million years. While the flare’s origin was quickly identified, a second, smaller signal from the star, peaking 10 minutes later, confounded scientists at the time. For 20 years, that signal went unexplained.

From Sci-Fi to Reality: Single-Photon Teleportation Breakthrough

Teleportation isn’t just science fiction anymore — scientists have found a way to send information more clearly and efficiently than ever before.

Using an incredibly tiny material called a nanophotonic platform, researchers dramatically improved how well quantum information can travel, even with just single particles of light. This breakthrough means teleportation could one day be part of real-world communication networks, opening the door to a future where information zips through space in ways once thought impossible.

Nonlinear optics: the key to quantum communication.

Compact optical clock uses quantum interference for improved frequency stability

An atomic clock research team from the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed and implemented a compact optical clock based on quantum interference enhanced absorption spectroscopy, which is expected to play an important role in micro-positioning, navigation, timing (μPNT) and other systems.

Inspired by the successful history of the coherent population trapping (CPT)-based chip-scale microwave atomic clock and the booming of optical microcombs, a chip-scale optical clock was also proposed and demonstrated with better frequency stability and accuracy, which is mainly based on two-photon transition of Rubidium atom ensemble.

However, the typically required high cell temperatures (~100 ℃) and laser powers (~10 mW) in such a configuration are not compliant with the advent of a fully miniaturized and optical clock.