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Category: quantum physics – Page 339

Blueprint of a Quantum Wormhole Teleporter Could Point to Deeper Physics

Transferring information from one location to another without transmitting any particles or energy seems to run counter to everything we’ve learned in the history of physics.

Yet there is some solid reasoning that this ‘counterfactual communication’ might not only be plausible, but depending on how it works could reveal fundamental aspects of reality that have so far been hidden from view.

Counterfactual physics isn’t a new thing in itself, describing a way of deducing activity by an absence of something. In one sense, it’s pretty straight forward. If your dog barks at strangers, and you hear silence when the front door opens, you’ve received information that says a familiar person has entered your house in spite of the absence of sound.

Dan Dennett: Sir Roger Penrose Is WRONG About Human Consciousness!

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Previous guest and friend of the show, Sir Roger Penrose, argues that human consciousness is not algorithmic and, therefore, cannot be modeled by Turing machines. In fact, he believes in a quantum mechanical understanding of human consciousness. However, as with any issue related to human consciousness, many disagree with him. One of his opponents is Daniel Dennett, with whom I recently had the pleasure of talking. Tune in to find out why Dennett thinks Penrose is wrong!

If you liked this clip, you will for sure love the full interview: • Video.

Shortly after our interview, Daniel sadly passed away at the age of 82. He was a renowned philosopher, thought-provoking writer, brilliant cognitive scientist, and vocal atheist. He was the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy at Tufts University in Massachusetts, a member of the editorial board for The Rutherford Journal, and a co-founder of The Clergy Project.

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New Quantum Dot Technology Improves Solar Cell Efficiency

A research team has developed a novel “pulse-shaped” light method to enhance the electrical conductivity of PbS quantum dot solar cells. This new technique, which replaces the lengthy traditional heat treatment process, generates substantial energy at regular intervals, significantly improving efficiency and addressing defects caused by light, heat, and moisture exposure. PbS quantum dots, known for their wide absorption range and low processing costs, are now more viable for commercial use. This advancement is expected to facilitate the broader application of quantum dot technology in optoelectronic devices. Credit: SciTechDaily.com.

A research team headed by Professor Jongmin Choi from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology has successfully developed a “PbS quantum dot” capable of quickly improving the electrical conductivity of solar cells. This collaborative effort involved Professor Changyong Lim of the Department of Energy Chemical Engineering at Kyungpook National University, led by President Wonhwa Hong, and Professor Jongchul Lim from the Department of Energy Engineering at Chungnam National University, under the leadership of President Jeongkyoum Kim.

The team identified a method to enhance electrical conductivity through the use of “pulse-shaped” light, which generates substantial energy in a concentrated manner at regular intervals. This method could replace the heat treatment process, which requires a significant amount of time to achieve the same result. This approach is expected to facilitate the production and commercialization of PbS quantum dot solar cells in the future.

New device precisely controls photon emission for more efficient portable screens

Recently, a team of chemists, mathematicians, physicists and nano-engineers at the University of Twente in the Netherlands developed a device to control the emission of photons with unprecedented precision. This technology could lead to more efficient miniature light sources, sensitive sensors, and stable quantum bits for quantum computing.

Fewer mini black holes existed in early universe, finds study

Fewer miniature black holes found:

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that the universe contains far fewer miniature black holes than previously thought, potentially shaking up current theories about dark matter.

Using advanced quantum field theory, typically reserved for subatomic particles, they applied this understanding to the early universe. They discovered new insights into primordial black holes (PBHs), which have been a strong contender for dark matter. Upcoming observations could soon confirm their surprising findings.

The thinnest lens on Earth is only three atoms thick

Lenses are used to bend and focus light. Normal lenses rely on their curved shape to achieve this effect, but physicists from the University of Amsterdam and Stanford University have made a flat lens of only three atoms thick which relies on quantum effects. This type of lens could be used in future augmented reality glasses.

The findings have been published in Nano Letters (“Temperature-Dependent Excitonic Light Manipulation with Atomically Thin Optical Elements”).

The thinnest lens on Earth, made of concentric rings of tungsten disulphide (WS2), uses excitons to efficiently focus light. The lens is as thick as a single layer of WS2, just three atoms thick. The bottom left shows an exciton: an excited electron bound to the positively charged ‘hole’ in the atomic lattice. (Image: Ludovica Guarneri and Thomas Bauer)

Exploring Uncharted Territory: Physicists Unveil Infinite Possibilities of Quantum States

A new method developed by Amsterdam researchers uses non-Gaussian states to efficiently describe and configure quantum spin-boson systems, promising advancements in quantum computing and sensing.

Many modern quantum devices operate using groups of qubits, or spins, which have just two energy states: ‘0’ and ‘1’. However, in actual devices, these spins also interact with photons and phonons, collectively known as bosons, making the calculations much more complex. In a recent study published in Physical Review Letters, researchers from Amsterdam have developed a method to effectively describe these spin-boson systems. This breakthrough could help in efficiently setting up quantum devices to achieve specific desired states.

Quantum devices use the quirky behavior of quantum particles to perform tasks that go beyond what ‘classical’ machines can do, including quantum computing, simulation, sensing, communication, and metrology. These devices can take many forms, such as a collection of superconducting circuits, or a lattice of atoms or ions held in place by lasers or electric fields.

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