In the world of quantum physics, events unfold with astonishing speed. Processes previously thought to occur in an instant, such as quantum entanglement, are now being investigated in the smallest fractions of a second.
It’s like freezing a fleeting moment to reveal minute details hidden in plain sight.
In collaboration with a team of researchers from China, Professor Joachim Burgdorfer and colleagues from Institute of Theoretical Physics At TU Wien, we measure these fleeting moments to understand how quantum entanglement actually occurs.
These scientists are not focused on the existence of quantum entanglement, but are keen to discover how it begins – how exactly do two particles become quantum entangled?
Understanding quantum entanglement
Using advanced computer simulations, they were able to glimpse processes that occur on time scales of attoseconds – billionths of a billionth of a second.
Quantum entanglement is a strange and wonderful phenomenon where two particles become so interconnected that they share a single state.
It’s like having two magic coins that always lie on the same side – flip one, and the other will mysteriously show the same result, even if they’re miles apart.
“You can say that particles do not have individual properties, but only shared properties. From a mathematical point of view, they belong together strongly, even if they are in completely different places,” explains Professor Burgdorfer.
This means that the measurement of one particle instantly affects the state of the other particle, regardless of the distance between them.
In simple terms, entangled particles share a connection that allows them to “talk” to each other instantaneously. Measure a single particle, and you immediately know something about its partner.
This strange behavior challenges our everyday understanding of how the world works, making entanglement one of the most mind-boggling concepts in quantum physics.
Laser and electron experiments
Although the concept of quantum entanglement seems incomprehensible, it is no longer a topic of debate whether it is true or not, and that is not what this study is about.
“We, on the other hand, are interested in something else, which is to find out how this entanglement evolved in the first place, and what physical effects play a role on very short time scales,” says Professor Eva Brezinova, one of the authors of the research. Current post.
To explore this, the team looked at atoms hit by an intense, high-frequency laser pulse. Imagine shining a super-powerful flashlight at an atom.
One of the electrons becomes so excited that it breaks free and flies away. If the laser is powerful enough, another electron inside the atom also undergoes a jolt, moving to a higher energy level and changing its orbit around the nucleus.
So, after this intense burst of light, one electron breaks off on its own, leaving another behind but not quite the same as before.
“We can show that these two electrons are now quantum entangled,” says Professor Burgdorfer. “You can only analyze them together, and you can make a measurement on one electron and know something about the other electron at the same time.”
When time becomes blurry
This is where things get really interesting. An electron flying away has no specific moment when it leaves the atom.
“This means that the time of birth of the electron that flies away is in principle unknown. “You could say that the electron itself does not know when it left the atom,” notes Professor Burgdorfer.
It’s in what’s called quantum superposition, which means it exists in multiple states at once.
But there is more. The time at which an electron leaves is related to the energy state of the electron that stays behind.
If the remaining electron has a higher energy, it is likely that the departing electron left earlier. If it were in a lower energy state, the electron would likely leave later — on average after about 232 attoseconds.
Measuring what cannot be measured
A totosecond is so short that it is beyond most people’s ability to understand. However, these small differences are not just theoretical.
“These differences can not only be calculated, but also measured through experiments,” says Professor Burgdorfer.
The team devised a measurement protocol that combines two different laser beams to capture this elusive timing.
They are already collaborating with other researchers keen to test and monitor these ultra-fast entanglements in the laboratory.
Why is quantum entanglement important?
Understanding how entanglement forms could have major implications for quantum technologies such as cryptography and computing.
Instead of just trying to preserve entanglement, scientists can now study its beginnings. This may lead to new ways to control quantum systems and enhance the security of quantum communications.
The journey doesn’t stop here. Professor Burgdorfer and his team are excited about the next steps.
“We are already in talks with research teams that want to prove such ultra-fast entanglements.”
By exploring on these very short time scales, they are not only observing quantum effects, they are redefining how we understand the fabric of reality.
Quantum entanglement and the future
It is clear that in the quantum world, even the shortest moments contain a wealth of information.
“The electron doesn’t just jump from the atom. It’s a wave coming off the atom, so to speak, and it takes a certain amount of time,” explains Eva Brezhenova.
“It is precisely during this stage that entanglement occurs,” she concludes, “and its effect can then be precisely measured later by monitoring the two electrons.”
So, next time you blink, remember that in less than a trillionth of that time, entire quantum events unfold, revealing secrets that could change the future of technology and our understanding of the universe.
The full study was published in the journal Physical review letters.
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