Physicists from the University of Chicago have achieved a significant breakthrough in quantum systems research by establishing a quantum communication link between two massive acoustic resonators. The results of their experiment, published in the journal Nature Communications, push the boundaries of our understanding of quantum phenomena. This advancement marks a shift from working with individual electrons and atoms to transferring quantum effects to much larger objects.
When particles become “entangled,” they exhibit behavior as a single unified entity, regardless of the distance between them. Changes in one particle’s state instantaneously affect the other, akin to a pair of coins that always show opposite sides when flipped. This intricate connection in the quantum realm underpins many promising technologies by allowing particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously until observed.
The research team focused on observing interactions between phonons, the quantum particles of sound within the resonators, rather than individual particles. Dr. Hong Cyo, a leading author of the study, highlights that phonons represent coordinated movements of trillions of atoms acting as a collective whole, offering a macroscopic scale compared to standard quantum systems.
The experiment utilized acoustic resonators, devices capable of capturing and sustaining sound vibration frequencies. Superconducting cubes in the setup functioned as translators, converting quantum states into sound wave vibrations and vice versa. This design allowed precise control and measurement of transformations within the system.
A unique configuration enabled the entanglement of fluctuations in two resonators at a quantum level. This advancement paves the way for utilizing sound waves, rather than electrical signals, for transmitting and processing information in quantum processors. The study challenges the conventional belief that quantum mechanics only operate on a microscopic scale, blurring the boundary between quantum and classical physics.
This innovative platform offers scalability, enabling the creation of more extensive and sophisticated computing systems based on its foundation.