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Category: quantum physics – Page 573

Scientists develop artificial molecules that behave like real ones

Scientists from the Radboud University have developed synthetic molecules that resemble real organic molecules. A collaboration of researchers, led by Alex Khajetoorians and Daniel Wegner, can now simulate the behavior of real molecules by using artificial molecules. In this way, they can tweak properties of molecules in ways that are normally difficult or unrealistic, and they can understand much better how molecules change.

Their paper is published in the journal Science.

Emil Sierda, who was in charge of conducting the experiments at Radboud University said, “A few years ago we had this crazy idea to build a . We wanted to create that resembled real molecules. So we developed a system in which we can trap electrons. Electrons surround a molecule like a cloud, and we used those trapped electrons to build an artificial molecule.” The results the team found were astonishing. Sierda says, “The resemblance between what we built and real molecules was uncanny.”

Is there an infinite universe? According to scientists, our universe has no beginning

The Big Bang, traditionally considered the birth of the universe about 14 billion years ago, is being questioned. Physicist Bruno Bento and his team have proposed compelling research suggesting the universe may have always existed, and the Big Bang may merely be a significant event in its continuous evolution.

Bruno Bento and his colleagues set out to examine what the universe’s inception might have looked like without a Big Bang singularity. They grappled with contradictions arising when comparing accepted theories, particularly those dealing with quantum physics and general relativity. While quantum physics has accurately described three of the four fundamental forces of nature, it struggles to incorporate gravity. On the other hand, general relativity offers a comprehensive explanation of gravity, but falters when dealing with black holes’ centers and the universe’s genesis.

These contentious areas, termed “singularities,” are points in space-time where established physical laws cease to apply. Intriguingly, computations indicate an immense gravitational pull within singularities, even on a minuscule scale.

Quantum repeater transmits entanglement over 50 kilometres

Physicists at the Universities of Innsbruck in Austria and Paris-Saclay in France have combined all the key functionalities of a long-distance quantum network into a single system for the first time. In a proof-of-principle experiment, they used this system to transfer quantum information via a so-called repeater node over a distance of 50 kilometres – far enough to indicate that the building blocks of practical, large-scale quantum networks may soon be within reach.

Quantum networks have two fundamental components: the quantum systems themselves, known as nodes, and one or more reliable connections between them. Such a network could work by connecting the quantum bits (or qubits) of multiple quantum computers to “share the load” of complex quantum calculations. It could also be used for super-secure quantum communications.

But building a quantum network is no easy task. Such networks often work by transmitting single photons that are entangled; that is, its quantum state is closely linked to the state of another quantum particle. Unfortunately, the signal from a single photon is easily lost over long distances. Carriers of quantum information can also lose their quantum nature in a process known as decoherence. Boosting these signals is therefore essential.

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