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Category: quantum physics – Page 18

To store ever more data in electronic devices of the same size, the manufacturing processes for these devices need to be studied in greater detail. By investigating new approaches to making digital memory at the atomic scale, researchers engaged in a public-private partnership are aiming to address the endless demand for denser data storage.

One such effort has focused on developing the ideal manufacturing process for a type of digital memory known as 3D NAND flash memory, which stacks data vertically to increase storage density.

The narrow, deep holes required for this type of memory can be etched twice as fast with the right and other key ingredients, according to a study published in the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A.

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It is one of the most important laws of nature that we know: The famous second law of thermodynamics says that the world gets more and more disordered when random chance is at play. Or, to put it more precisely: that entropy must increase in every closed system.

Ordered structures lose their order, regular ice crystals turn into water, porcelain vases are broken up into shards. At first glance, however, quantum physics does not really seem to adhere to this rule: Mathematically speaking, in always remains the same.

A research team at TU Wien has now taken a closer look at this apparent contradiction and has been able to show that it depends on what kind of entropy you look at. If you define the concept of entropy in a way that is compatible with the basic ideas of quantum physics, then there is no longer any contradiction between quantum physics and thermodynamics.

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However, a new study proves that hydrogen bonds can effectively link spin centers, enabling easier assembly of molecular spin qubits. This discovery could transform quantum material development by leveraging supramolecular chemistry.

A Light-Driven Approach to Spin Qubits

Qubits are the fundamental units of information in quantum technology. A key challenge in developing practical quantum applications is determining what materials these qubits should be made of. Molecular spin qubits are particularly promising for molecular spintronics, especially in quantum sensing. In these systems, light can stimulate certain materials, creating a second spin center and triggering a light-induced quartet state.

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How can the latest technology, such as solar cells, be improved? An international research team led by the University of Göttingen is helping to find answers to questions like this with a new technique. For the first time, the formation of tiny, difficult-to-detect particles—known as dark excitons—can be tracked precisely in time and space. These invisible carriers of energy will play a key role in future solar cells, LEDs and detectors. The results are published in Nature Photonics.

Dark excitons are tiny pairs made up of one electron together with the hole it leaves behind when it is excited. They carry energy but cannot emit light (hence the name “dark”). One way to visualize an is to imagine a balloon (representing the electron) that flies away and leaves behind an empty space (the hole) to which it remains connected by a force known as a Coulomb interaction. Researchers talk about “particle states” that are difficult to detect but are particularly important in atomically thin, two-dimensional structures in special semiconductor compounds.

In an earlier publication, the research group led by Professor Stefan Mathias from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Göttingen was able to show how these dark excitons are created in an unimaginably short time and describe their dynamics with the help of quantum mechanical theory.

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What if time didn’t just move forward? Scientists have uncovered something astonishing in a recent quantum physics experiment — the existence of ‘negative time.’ This mind-bending discovery defies conventional logic, suggesting that particles may not follow the rules we thought were unbreakable.

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In a monumental stride toward the realization of practical quantum computing and advanced quantum networks, researchers at the prestigious Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge have successfully crafted a fully operational quantum register utilizing the atomic properties within a semiconductor quantum dot. This innovative development could pave the way for pivotal advancements in quantum information technology, crucial for the anticipated future where quantum networking integrates into everyday digital communications.

This breakthrough is detailed in a publication in Nature Physics, where it reveals the introduction of an entirely new category of qubits that are optically interconnected. As the field of quantum networking progresses, the need for stable, scalable, and adaptable quantum nodes has become increasingly evident. The research team’s focus on quantum dots is particularly advantageous, as these nanoscale entities possess unique optical and electronic attributes intrinsic to quantum mechanical phenomena.

Quantum dots have demonstrated considerable potential in existing technologies, such as medical imaging and display screens, primarily due to their efficacy as bright single-photon sources. However, to create functional quantum networks, it is essential not only to emit single photons but also to establish reliable qubits that can effectively interact with these emitted photons. Moreover, these qubits must be capable of locally storing quantum information over extended periods. The researchers’ development enhances the inherent spins of the nuclear atoms within the quantum dots, optimizing them into a cohesive many-body quantum register.

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Scientists have successfully achieved a quantum collective behavior of macroscopic mechanical oscillators, unlocking new possibilities in quantum technology.

Quantum technologies are radically transforming our understanding of the universe. One emerging technology are macroscopic mechanical oscillators, devices that are vital in quartz watches, mobile phones, and lasers used in telecommunications. In the quantum realm, macroscopic oscillators could enable ultra-sensitive sensors and components for quantum computing, opening new possibilities for innovation in various industries.

Controlling mechanical oscillators at the quantum level is essential for developing future technologies in quantum computing and ultra-precise sensing. But controlling them collectively is challenging, as it requires near-perfect units, i.e. identical.

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One of the key goals within the field of quantum computing is to achieve what is known as a quantum advantage. This term essentially describes the point after which a quantum computer can outperform a classical computer on a specific task or solve a problem that is beyond the reach of classical computers.

One task that could be used to demonstrate a , known as quantum random sampling, entails the generation of samples from a probability distribution. This task is very difficult for classical computers to perform, but it could theoretically be completed by quantum computers.

While past studies have successfully tackled random sampling tasks using quantum computers, actually verifying that a system effectively performs these tasks has proved challenging. This is because many existing verification techniques based on classical data are either too computationally demanding or difficult to apply to larger quantum systems.

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Quantum researchers from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, have demonstrated the potential for quantum computing to significantly improve how we solve complex problems involving large datasets, highlighting the potential of using quantum in areas such as real-time traffic management, agricultural monitoring, health care, and energy optimization.

By leveraging the unique properties of quantum computing, like superposition and entanglement, researchers compressed and analyzed a large dataset with speed, accuracy, and efficiency that traditional computers cannot match.

The work is published in the journal Advanced Science.

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A Franco-German research team, including members from the University of Freiburg, shows that supramolecular chemistry enables efficient spin communication through hydrogen bonds. The work is published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

Qubits are the basic building blocks of information processing in quantum technology. An important research question is what material they will actually consist of in technical applications. Molecular spin qubits are considered promising qubit candidates for molecular spintronics, in particular for quantum sensing. The materials studied here can be stimulated by light; this creates a second spin center and, subsequently, a light-induced quartet state.

Until now, research has assumed that the interaction between two spin centers can only be strong enough for successful quartet formation if the centers are covalently linked. Due to the high effort required to synthesize covalently bonded networks of such systems, their use in application-related developments in the field of quantum technology is severely limited.

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