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Category: quantum physics – Page 28

A study published in the journal Optica demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. By employing a novel detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants with a light far dimmer than starlight. This advance enables imaging of delicate, light-sensitive samples, such as biofuel crops, without disturbing or damaging the plants.

A method called quantum ghost imaging (QGI) allows scientists to capture images at extremely low light levels. QGI also enables the use of one low intensity color, best matched to the sample and a different color at higher intensity, sufficient to form the image of the sample. This approach improves imaging in regions of light where traditional cameras struggle.

By using label-free infrared imaging, researchers can gather critical information about important plant processes, such as and photosynthesis, even in low-light conditions. This is particularly beneficial for studying , where researchers want to optimize plant growth and health to maximize yield and sustainability.

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An international team of scientists led by Dr. Lukas Bruder, junior research group leader at the Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, has succeeded in producing and directly controlling hybrid electron-photon quantum states in helium atoms.

To this end, they generated specially prepared, highly intense extreme ultraviolet using the FERMI free electron laser in Trieste, Italy. The researchers achieved control of the hybrid quantum states using a new laser pulse-shaping technique. Their results have been published in the journal Nature.

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Researchers have developed a new laser technology using large colloidal quantum dots of lead sulfide to emit coherent light in the extended short-wave infrared range.

This innovation promises cheaper, scalable laser solutions compatible with silicon CMOS platforms, covering a broader wavelength range without altering chemical compositions, and eliminating the need for costly femtosecond laser amplifiers.

Novel Laser Technologies

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MIT physicists propose a method to create fractionalized electrons known as non-Abelian anyons in two-dimensional materials, potentially advancing quantum computing by enabling more reliable quantum bits without using magnetic fields.

Their research highlights the potential of molybdenum ditelluride in forming these anyons, promising significant advancements in robust quantum computation.

MIT physicists predict exotic matter for quantum computing.

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Scientists have discovered that cosmic filaments, the largest known structures in the universe, are rotating. These massive, twisting filaments of dark matter and galaxies stretch across hundreds of millions of light-years and play a crucial role in channeling matter to galaxy clusters. The finding challenges existing theories, as it was previously believed that rotation could not occur on such large scales. The research was confirmed through both computer simulations and real-world data, and it opens up new questions about how these giant structures acquire their spin.

After reading the article, a Reddit user named Kane gained more than 100 upvotes with this comment: “What if galaxy clusters are like neuron and glial clusters in a brain. And dark matter is basically the equivalent of a synapse. It connects galaxies and matter together and is responsible for sending quantum information back and forth like a signal chain.”

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Quantum calculations of molecular systems often require extraordinary amounts of computing power; these calculations are typically performed on the world’s largest supercomputers to better understand real-world products such as batteries and semiconductors.

Now, UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) researchers have developed a new machine learning method that significantly speeds up by improving model scalability. This approach reduces the computing memory required for simulations by more than fivefold compared to existing models and delivers results over ten times faster.

Their research has been accepted at Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) 2024, a conference and publication venue in artificial intelligence and machine learning. They will present their work at the conference on December 13, and a version of their paper is available on the arXiv preprint server.

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In the world of science, even a small twist may carry immense implications for materials. Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have uncovered how a subtle rotation in 2D layers can give rise to a vortex electric field. This finding, published in Science, has the potential to impact electronic, magnetic, and optical devices as well as new applications in quantum computing, spintronics, and nanotechnology. According to Professor Ly Thuc Hue of CityUHK’s Department of Chemistry, the study demonstrates how “a simple twist in bilayer 2D materials” can induce this electric field, bypassing the need for costly thin-film deposition techniques.

Akin to solving intricate technical puzzles, researchers had to ensure clean, precisely aligned layers of material—a notoriously difficult challenge in the world of 2D materials. Twisted bilayers are made by stacking two thin layers of a material at a slight angle, creating unique electronic properties.

However, traditional methods of synthesizing these bilayers often limit the range of twist angles, particularly at smaller degrees, making exploration of their full potential nearly impossible. To address this, the team at City University of Hong Kong developed an ice-assisted transfer technique that uses a thin sheet of ice to align and transfer bilayers with precision.

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A new study in Physical Review Letters demonstrates the levitation of a microparticle using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), having potential implications from biology to quantum computing.

NMR is a spectroscopic technique commonly used to analyze various materials based on how the respond to external magnetic fields. This provides information about the internal structure, dynamics, and environment of the material.

One of the main challenges with NMR is using it on small objects to control the quantum properties of levitating microparticles.

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Quantum sensors, a cutting-edge technology capable of detecting subtle signals from the human body, could soon transform how diseases are diagnosed and monitored, according to a report from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C).

The report outlines how quantum sensing tools — ranging from diamond-based detectors to optically pumped magnetometers — offer unprecedented sensitivity compared to traditional medical devices. These sensors could enable earlier diagnoses for diseases like Alzheimer’s, provide better imaging of fetal development, and even analyze the microbiome in real time.

“Improved sensors could impact diverse aspects of biomedicine,” the report states. “For example, quantum sensors offer the possibility of significantly more efficient and accurate medical diagnoses for patients, thanks to their increased sensitivity and novel options for form factor. These attributes could enable quantum sensors to collect vast amounts of data about patients and medical conditions, and thus facilitate drug and treatment development and earlier diagnosis of disease. The advantages of quantum sensors encourage new ideas about solutions, quantum use cases, and business models across the biomedical industry — from prenatal care to cancer detection and treatment.”

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