The power of quantum disorder

Quantum mechanics entails clearly defined units and rules, so it isn’t really disordered. However, there is a sense of disorder that has to do with the complexity of quantum mechanics – and that’s actually really important for how we can apply it.


When physicists say “disorder,” we’re probably talking about uncertainty and entropy. The Heisenberg uncertainty relation is one of the first and most surprising things you learn in quantum mechanics. 

Basically, you can’t know the position and momentum of a particle at the same time. In a classical world, we can know where something is and how fast it’s going – of course we can; we do that all the time – but that’s impossible to do exactly in quantum mechanics. Even if you know everything you can about a quantum particle, there are still unknowns. The disorder is built into the structure of the theory in the form of uncertainty.

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New Theory Bridges Quantum Mechanics and Gravity

Diagrammatic representation of the entropic quantum gravity action. The action for gravity is given by the quantum relative entropy between the metric of the manifold and the metric induced by the matter field and the geometry. Image Credit: Queen Mary University of London

In a recent study that was published in Physical Review D, Queen Mary University of London Professor Ginestra Bianconi, offered a novel framework with the potential to completely alter knowledge of gravity and how it relates to quantum mechanics.



The study bridges the gap between Einstein's general relativity and quantum mechanics, two of the most fundamental but seemingly incompatible theories in physics, by introducing a novel method that derives gravity from quantum relative entropy.
The Challenge of Quantum Gravity



Physicists have been trying for decades to make sense of the differences between general relativity and quantum mechanics. General relativity explains the force of gravity on cosmic scales, whereas quantum mechanics controls the behavior of particles at the smallest scales. One of the most elusive objectives in contemporary science has been to bring these two frameworks together.  READ  MORE...

W boson measurement conundrum

One of the tiniest building blocks of the universe has a weigh-in problem, and Ashutosh Kotwal is determined to get to the bottom of it.


For nearly 30 years, the Duke physicist has led a worldwide effort to home in on the mass of a fundamental particle called the W boson.

It's the force-carrying particle that allows the sun to burn and new elements to form, so it's pretty important. Without it, the entire universe would be in the dark.

But in recent years the W boson has been the source of a rift in the physics world. That's because the two most precise measurements to date of its mass—essentially how much matter, or "stuff" the particle contains—don't line up.     READ MORE...

theory of relativity with quantum mechanics

For over a century, quantum mechanics and Einstein’s general relativity have stood as the cornerstones of modern physics, yet their unification remains one of science’s greatest challenges.


Now, researchers at University College London (UCL) have introduced a groundbreaking theory that challenges conventional approaches to this problem.


Quantum gravity seeks to bridge the gap between the microscopic world, where quantum mechanics governs particle behavior, and the macroscopic realm, where gravity shapes spacetime.


Traditionally, physicists have assumed that Einstein’s theory must be modified to fit within the quantum framework. However, UCL researchers propose a striking alternative: a "postquantum theory of classical gravity" that reexamines the fundamental relationship between these two domains.     READ MORE...

The Mysterious Paraparticles

Rice University physicists have mathematically unveiled the possibility of paraparticles, which defy the traditional binary classification of particles into bosons and fermions.

Their research, which delves into the realms of abstract algebra and condensed matter, hints at groundbreaking applications in quantum computing and information systems, suggesting an exciting, albeit speculative, future for new material properties and particle behavior.
Breaking Conventional Particle Categories
Since the early days of quantum mechanics, scientists have believed that all particles fall into one of two categories — bosons or fermions — defined by their distinct behaviors.

However, recent research by Rice University physicist Kaden Hazzard and former graduate student Zhiyuan Wang challenges this idea. Their study, published in Nature on January 8, provides a mathematical framework suggesting the potential existence of paraparticles — particles that defy the traditional classification and were once thought impossible.

“We determined that new types of particles we never knew of before are possible,” said Hazzard, associate professor of physics and astronomy.  READ MORE...

Quantum Mechanics and New Particles

Amid the many mysteries of quantum physics, subatomic particles don't always follow the rules of the physical world. They can exist in two places at once, pass through solid barriers and even communicate across vast distances instantaneously. 

These behaviors may seem impossible, but in the quantum realm, scientists are exploring an array of properties once thought impossible.

In a new study, physicists at Brown University have now observed a novel class of quantum particles called fractional excitons, which behave in unexpected ways and could significantly expand scientists' understanding of the quantum realm.

"Our findings point toward an entirely new class of quantum particles that carry no overall charge but follow unique quantum statistics," said Jia Li, an associate professor of physics at Brown.    READ MORE...

Negative Time

Negative time is a peculiar quirk of quantum mechanics, like the possibility of an object being in two places at one time (think: Schrodinger’s cat) or two particles existing in the same state when far apart (aka quantum entanglement). Quantum mechanics is the world of atoms, electrons, and photons and at times, can appear to be at odds with what we see in the world around us. As for negative time, it refers to a period of time that is less than zero.

The concept was explored earlier this year by scientists at the University of Toronto. As IFLScience reported at the time, researchers released a study on the preprint server arXiv (meaning it is yet to be peer-reviewed) that demonstrates how objects can emit light in so-called negative time. The piece of research involved looking at how long it takes a pulse of light to travel through a cloud of atoms.

As light passes through the cloud, the atoms temporarily absorb the photons, triggering an “excited” state before releasing the photons. The team measured the amount of time atoms remained in this excited state. Curiously, there were instances where the time was negative, i.e. less than zero.     READ MORE...

Quantum Entanglement

Quantum technology has been attracting a lot of attention in recent years thanks to computers that exploit atomic properties, hard drives that hold information in unusual states, and now engines that break free from the old rules.

These strange engines do not rely on burning anything, nor do they feed on heat. Instead, they gain their push from the unusual behavior of tiny particles.

Quantum mechanics sets the stage for all of this. It is not concerned with big objects, but with what happens at the smallest scales.

It looks at atoms, molecules, and subatomic bits of matter that do not follow everyday rules. It has sparked new gadgets that tackle problems we never knew we could solve.

The paper describing these results is co-authored by researchers Keerthy Menon, Dr. Eloisa Cuestas, Dr. Thomas Fogarty and Prof. Thomas Busch and has been published in the journal Nature.     READ MORE...

Death Might be an Illusion

What happens after we die? While many believe that death is the end, quantum physics suggests that it might not be as simple as we think.

In fact, it could be an illusion. This idea challenges everything we know about life and death. By looking at concepts like the interconnectedness of all things and the nature of consciousness, here’s to a whole new perspective on life after death.

Dr. Robert Lanza, a leading expert in biotechnology, plays a major role in this idea. He’s the Chief Scientific Officer at the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where he studies stem cells and how they can be used to treat diseases.

Before this, Dr. Lanza focused on researching embryonic stem cells and cloning, working with both animals and humans. He is also an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina.     READ MORE...

Quantum Sensing

Researchers are exploring the potential to detect gravitons using quantum sensing technologies in hope of linking quantum mechanics with Einstein’s theory of relativity.

Advanced quantum sensing tools, such as those used at LIGO, detect gravitational waves by overcoming quantum noise through techniques like “squeezing.” These tools could also support graviton detection by providing a more precise way to measure gravitational disturbances in lab environments.

While technical and philosophical challenges remain, progress in quantum sensing may narrow the gap between quantum mechanics and gravitational theory, and provide new insights into phenomena like black holes and the Big Bang.

While each tasked with the important role of numerically explaining our reality, gravity and quantum mechanics tend to mix like oil and water — they have long presented a profound challenge to unify in the domain of physics. Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, established in 1915, describes gravity as the curvature of space-time. In contrast, quantum mechanics suggests that forces are mediated by particles.   READ MORE...

Quantum AI Reshaping our World

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a new frontier is emerging that promises to reshape our world in ways we can scarcely imagine. This frontier is Quantum AI, the powerful fusion of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. 

It's a field that's generating immense excitement and speculation across industries, from finance to healthcare, and it's not hard to see why. Quantum AI has the potential to solve complex problems at speeds that would make even our most advanced classical computers look like abacuses in comparison.


Demystifying Quantum AI: The Power Of Qubits And AI
But what exactly is Quantum AI, and why should you care? At its core, Quantum AI leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in ways that classical computers simply can't. 

While traditional computers use bits that can be either 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously thanks to a phenomenon called superposition. This allows quantum computers to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than classical computers.     READ MORE...

A Particle of Gravity Glimpsed

Gravitons, the particles thought to carry gravity, have never been seen in space – but something very similar has been detected in a semiconductor.

Physicists have been searching for gravitons, the hypothetical particles thought to carry gravity, for decades. These have never been detected in space, but graviton-like particles have now been seen in a semiconductor. Using these to understand gravitons’ behaviour could help unite the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, which have long been at odds.

“This is a needle in a haystack [finding]. And the paper that started this whole thing is from way back in 1993,” says Loren Pfeiffer at Princeton University. He wrote that paper with several colleagues including Aron Pinczuk, who passed away in 2022 before they could find hints of the elusive particles.          READ MORE...

Quantum Mechanics United with General Relativity

Scientists have revealed a radical theory that seeks to reconcile two pillars of modern physics – quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity. (CREDIT: Isaac Young)

In a cutting-edge development that has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, researchers at University College London (UCL) have unveiled a radical theory that seeks to reconcile two pillars of modern physics – quantum mechanics and Einstein's general theory of relativity.

These two theories, which have been the foundation of physics for over a century, have long been at odds with each other, and their unification has remained an elusive quest.

Today, we dive into the world of quantum gravity, a field of study that aims to bridge the gap between the quantum realm, which governs the behavior of particles at the smallest scales, and the macroscopic world, where gravity shapes the very fabric of spacetime.

While the prevailing consensus has been that Einstein's theory of gravity must be modified to fit within the framework of quantum theory, a new theory, coined as a "postquantum theory of classical gravity," challenges this assumption in a thought-provoking way.    READ MORE...

Quantum Mechanics in Ultra Cold

There's a hot new BEC in town that has nothing to do with bacon, egg, and cheese. You won't find it at your local bodega, but in the coldest place in New York: the lab of Columbia physicist Sebastian Will, whose experimental group specializes in pushing atoms and molecules to temperatures just fractions of a degree above absolute zero.


Writing in Nature, the Will lab, supported by theoretical collaborator Tijs Karman at Radboud University in the Netherlands, has successfully created a unique quantum state of matter called a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) out of molecules.

Their BEC, cooled to just five nanoKelvin, or about -459.66°F, and stable for a strikingly long two seconds, is made from sodium-cesium molecules. Like water molecules, these molecules are polar, meaning they carry both a positive and a negative charge. 

The imbalanced distribution of electric charge facilitates the long-range interactions that make for the most interesting physics, noted Will.     READ MORE...

Quantum Physics Simplified

Quantum mechanics is simultaneously our most powerful and weirdest scientific theory. It’s powerful because it offers exquisite control over the nanoworld of molecular, atomic, and subatomic phenomena. It’s weird because, while we have a complete mathematical formalism, we physicists have been arguing for more than a century over what that formalism means. In other words, unlike other physical theories, the mathematics of quantum mechanics has no clear interpretation. That means physicists and philosophers have been left arguing about which interpretation makes the most sense. Sometimes the idea of “simplicity” is invoked to answer that question.

The “simplest” explanation
There are two main parts of the quantum formalism. The first is what’s called the dynamical equation. This part gives us a mathematical description of how undisturbed systems evolve. We physicists love our dynamical equations — things like Newton’s equations for particles or Maxwell’s equations for electromagnetic waves. In classical physics, the dynamical equation was pretty much the end of the story. Nothing else was required and we came to think of those equations as existing “out there.” They were timeless laws of physics that never required any reference to what physicists were doing.     READ MORE...

The Quantum Universe

Arrows of Time
As far as we know, the fundamental dynamical laws are time neutral --- preferring no direction of time over another. Yet our universe exhibits a number of `arrows of time' --- general phenomena that distinguish directions in time. There is the thermodynamic arrow of time --- the fact that presently isolated systems are mostly evolving towards equilibrium in the same direction of time. There is the electromagnetic arrow of time --- electromagnetic radiation is retarded. 

There is the psychological arrow of time --- we remember the past, experience the present, and predict the future. There are the arrows of time supplied by the expansion of the universe and the growth of inhomogeneity. And then, there is the quantum mechanical arrow of time defined in Copenhagen quantum mechanics by the direction in time the wave function of a subsystem is reduced on measurement. The papers below in various ways show how arrows of time arise in quantum cosmology from asymmetries in quantum conditions that specify our universe even though the dynamical laws are time neutral.   READ MORE...

Beyond Hydrogen

Recent discoveries in quantum physics have revealed simpler atomic structures than hydrogen, involving pure electromagnetic interactions between particles like electrons and their antiparticles. 

This advancement has significant implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics and fundamental physics, highlighted by new methods for detecting tauonium, which could revolutionize measurements of particle physics.

The hydrogen atom was once considered the simplest atom in nature, composed of a structureless electron and a structured proton. However, as research progressed, scientists discovered a simpler type of atom, consisting of structureless electrons (e-), muons (μ-), or tauons (τ-) and their equally structureless antiparticles. 

These atoms are bound together solely by electromagnetic interactions, with simpler structures than hydrogen atoms, providing a new perspective on scientific problems such as quantum mechanics, fundamental symmetry, and gravity.  READ MORE...

Atoms Morph into Quantum Waves

In the 1920s, the pioneering physicist Erwin Schrödinger formulated an equation that fundamentally transformed our understanding of the universe. Schrödinger's equation describes how particles can behave like waves, a concept that underpins much of quantum mechanics. 

Now, nearly a century later, researchers have made a remarkable advancement that perfectly recreates Schrödinger's predictions in the laboratory: capturing single atoms morphing into quantum waves.

A Historic Moment in Quantum Imaging
The recent breakthrough involves capturing images of individual atoms exhibiting wave-like behavior. This is a historic achievement, as it provides the clearest image ever seen of atoms behaving like quantum waves, just as predicted by Schrödinger's equation. 

This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for studying and understanding the exotic and often mysterious behavior of atoms at the quantum level.  READ MORE...

Theory Unites Gravity and Quantum Mechanics

A radical theory that consistently unifies gravity and quantum mechanics while preserving Einstein's classical concept of spacetime has been announced in two papers published simultaneously by UCL (University College London) physicists.

Modern physics is founded upon two pillars: quantum theory on the one hand, which governs the smallest particles in the universe, and Einstein's theory of general relativity on the other, which explains gravity through the bending of spacetime. But these two theories are in contradiction with each other and a reconciliation has remained elusive for over a century.

The prevailing assumption has been that Einstein's theory of gravity must be modified, or "quantized," in order to fit within quantum theory. This is the approach of two leading candidates for a quantum theory of gravity, string theory and loop quantum gravity.   READ MORE...

Time Reversal

A team of researchers from the University of Twente has successfully illustrated that quantum mechanics and thermodynamics can coexist by using an optical chip with photon channels. The channels individually showed disorder in line with thermodynamics, while the overall system complied with quantum mechanics due to the entanglement of subsystems, proving that information can be preserved and transferred. Credit: University of Twente

It seems quantum mechanics and thermodynamics cannot be true simultaneously. In a new publication, University of Twente researchers use photons in an optical chip to demonstrate how both theories can be true at the same time.

In quantum mechanics, time can be reversed and information is always preserved. That is, one can always find back the previous state of particles. It was long unknown how this could be true at the same time as thermodynamics. 

There, time has a direction and information can also be lost. “Just think of two photographs that you put in the sun for too long, after a while you can no longer distinguish them,” explains author Jelmer Renema.

There was already a theoretical solution to this quantum puzzle and even an experiment with atoms, but now the University of Twente (UT) researchers have also demonstrated it with photons. “Photons have the advantage that it is quite easy to reverse time with them,” explains Renema. 

In the experiment, the researchers used an optical chip with channels through which the photons could pass. At first, they could determine exactly how many photons there were in each channel, but after that, the photons shuffled positions.  READ MORE...