A Thermometer for Measuring Quantumness

If there’s one law of physics that seems easy to grasp, it’s the second law of thermodynamics: Heat flows spontaneously from hotter bodies to colder ones. But now, gently and almost casually, Alexssandre de Oliveira Jr.(opens a new tab) has just shown me I didn’t truly understand it at all.


Take this hot cup of coffee and this cold jug of milk, the Brazilian physicist said as we sat in a café in Copenhagen. Bring them into contact and, sure enough, heat will flow from the hot object to the cold one, just as the German scientist Rudolf Clausius first stated formally in 1850. However, in some cases, de Oliveira explained, physicists have learned that the laws of quantum mechanics can drive heat flow the opposite way: from cold to hot.

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Information could be a fundamental part of the universe, and may explain dark energy and dark matter

For more than a century, physics has been built on two great theories. Einstein's general relativity explains gravity as the bending of space and time.

Quantum mechanics governs the world of particles and fields. Both work brilliantly in their own domains. But put them together and contradictions appear—especially when it comes to black holes, dark matter, dark energy and the origins of the cosmos.

My colleagues and I have been exploring a new way to bridge that divide. The idea is to treat information—not matter, not energy, not even spacetime itself—as the most fundamental ingredient of reality. We call this framework the quantum memory matrix (QMM).

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Scientists Confirm the Incredible Existence of Time Reflections

The explanation of spatial reflections—whether by light or by sound—are pretty intuitive. Electromagnetic radiation in the form of light or sound waves hit a mirror or wall, respectively, and change course. 

This allows our eyes to see a reflection or echo of the original input. However, for more than 50 years, scientists have theorized that there’s another kind of reflection in quantum mechanics known as time reflection.

This term might conjure up images of a nuclear-powered DeLorean or a particular police box (that’s bigger on the inside), but that’s not quite what scientists mean by the term. Instead, time reflections occur when the entire medium in which an electromagnetic wave travels suddenly changes course. This causes a portion of that wave to reverse and its frequency transforms into another one.

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Scientists Turn Light Into a Never-Before-Seen Solid With Reality-Bending Quantum Properties

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have managed to transform light into a super solid material, marking a revolutionary step in understanding states of matter. This pioneering development merges the characteristics of solid and superfluid states, unlocking new pathways for studying quantum mechanics and presenting vast implications for technological advancements. 

As we delve deeper into this extraordinary discovery, it becomes clear that the transformation of light into a super solid is more than just a scientific curiosity; it represents a paradigm shift in how we understand and manipulate the fundamental properties of matter.

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“Faster Than Anything Ever Seen”: Mind-Blowing Speed of Quantum Entanglement Measured for the First Time in Scientific History

1. Scientists have measured the speed of quantum entanglement for the first time, marking a major milestone in quantum physics.
2. The study uses attosecond precision to track electron motion, offering unprecedented insight into quantum dynamics.
3. Quantum entanglement shows how particles can be interconnected over vast distances, defying traditional physics.
4. These discoveries could revolutionize data security through quantum encryption and advance computational technologies.

Quantum physics continues to amaze us, challenging our understanding of the microscopic world. A groundbreaking study has recently measured, for the first time, the speed at which quantum entanglement occurs—a phenomenon previously believed to be instantaneous. This research, published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters, paves the way for significant advancements in quantum computing and encryption. By exploring these microscopic interactions, scientists are uncovering the intricacies of particles that could revolutionize the way we think about data security and computational processes.

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US scientists discover never-before-seen quantum ‘species’ in twisted material

Quantum mechanics governs the world of fundamental particles, where we can see a variety of quantum phenomena that emerge due to the collective behavior of particles like electrons.

These exotic quantum states are unusual, behaving differently from anything we know, and only emerge under extreme conditions like low temperatures or high pressures. Most of these exotic quantum states remain theoretical, as they are hard to produce due to the fragility and delicacy of the quantum world.

Now, researchers from Japan and the US have observed several previously unseen quantum states in a two-dimensional material. These materials join the growing list of what the researchers call a quantum zoo.

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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...