Researchers discover 'quantum flute' that can make light particles move together
University of Chicago physicists have discovered a “quantum flute” that, like the Pied Piper, can force light particles to move together in a way never seen before. Described in two studies published in Physical Review Letters and Nature Physics, the breakthrough could point the way to the realization of quantum memory or new forms of error correction in quantum computers, and to observe quantum phenomena that cannot be seen in nature. Laboratory Association Prof. David Schuster is working on quantum bits – the quantum equivalent of computer bits – that take advantage of the peculiar properties of particles at the atomic and sub-atomic level to do things that would otherwise be impossible. In this experiment, they worked with light particles, known as photons, in the microwave spectrum. Their system consists of long cavities built into a metal block, designed to trap photons at microwave frequencies. Cavities are created by drilling offset holes — like holes i...