Quantum Physics – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Aug 28
2024

D-Wave’s Quantum Computer Serves as Brains Behind Study That Connects Neural Activity to Academic Performance

The study, published by a multi-institutional team of researchers…

Researchers used D-Wave’s quantum computing technology to explore the relationship between prefrontal brain activity and academic achievement, particularly focusing on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scores in South Korea.

The study, published by a multi-institutional team of researchers across Korea in Scientific Reports, relied on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain signals during various cognitive tasks and then applied a quantum annealing algorithm to identify patterns correlating with higher academic performance.

The team identified several cognitive tasks that might boost CSAT score — and that could have significant implications for educational strategies and cognitive neuroscience. The use of a quantum computer as a partner in the research process could also be a step towards practical applications of quantum computing in neuroimaging and cognitive assessment.

Aug 28
2024

New technique shows promise for mass fabricating an exotic quasi-1D material

Researchers have fabricated a quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals zirconium telluride thin film, which is a form of a substance that has long promised advances in quantum computing, nano-electronics and other advanced technologies. Until now, it has stumped scientists who have tried to manufacture it in large-scale quantities.

Aug 28
2024

New research suggests a way to capture physicists’ most wanted particle—gravitons

A team led by Stevens professor Igor Pikovski has just outlined how to detect single gravitons, thought to be the quantum building blocks of gravity—and making that experiment real should be possible with quantum technology, they suggest, in the near future.

Aug 28
2024

Quantum nonlocality demonstrated in first loophole-free test of Hardy’s paradox

A research team has achieved the loophole-free test of Hardy’s paradox for the first time. The team successfully demonstrated Hardy’s nonlocality while closing both the detection efficiency loophole and the locality loophole.

Aug 27
2024

AI Models Complex Molecular States with Precision

Summary: Researchers developed a brain-inspired AI technique using neural networks to model the challenging quantum states of molecules, crucial for technologies like solar panels and photocatalyst.

This new approach significantly improves accuracy, enabling better prediction of molecular behaviors during energy transitions. By enhancing our understanding of molecular excited states, this research could revolutionize material prototyping and chemical synthesis.

Aug 27
2024

Sound drives ‘quantum jumps’ between electron orbits

Cornell University researchers have demonstrated that acoustic sound waves can be used to control the motion of an electron as it orbits a lattice defect in a diamond, a technique that can potentially improve the sensitivity of quantum sensors and be used in other quantum devices.

Aug 27
2024

Study proposes generalized approach to light-matter interactions

A study coordinated by the University of Trento with the University of Chicago proposes a generalized approach to the interactions between electrons and light. In the future, it may contribute to the development of quantum technologies as well as to the discovery of new states of matter. The study is published in Physical Review Letters.

Aug 27
2024

Physicists ease path to entanglement for quantum sensing

Nothing in science can be achieved or understood without measurement. Today, thanks to advances in quantum sensing, scientists can measure things that were once impossible to even imagine: vibrations of atoms, properties of individual photons, fluctuations associated with gravitational waves.

Aug 26
2024

‘Unbreakable’ quantum communication closer to reality thanks to new, exceptionally bright photons

Scientists build a new light source for quantum communications by combining existing technologies together to create a stronger and more robust quantum signal.

Aug 26
2024

Kagome Metals Unlocked: A New Dimension of Superconductivity

Kagome metals exhibit superconductivity through a unique wave-like distribution of electron pairs, a discovery that overturns previous assumptions and may lead to the development of novel superconducting components.

This groundbreaking research, driven by theoretical insights and enhanced by cutting-edge experimental techniques, marks a significant step towards realizing efficient quantum devices.

For about fifteen years, Kagome materials with their star-shaped structure reminiscent of a Japanese basketry pattern have captivated global research. Only staring from 2018 scientists have been able to synthesize metallic compounds featuring this structure in the lab. Thanks to their unique crystal geometry, Kagome metals combine distinctive electronic, magnetic, and superconducting properties, making them promising for future quantum technologies.