Physics World August 14, 2019 The quantum electrodynamic process of photon–photon scattering has for the first time been confirmed experimentally to a high degree of certainty. CERN’s ATLAS collaboration, which involves hundreds of physicists from around the world, made the breakthrough after analysing a large dataset of candidate scattering events using a neural network. Their discovery could fuel new research into a variety of theories beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The discoveries of the ATLAS collaboration could inform future studies aiming to confirm and constrain these theories, potentially allowing much-anticipated updates to the Standard Model…read more. Open Access […]
Practical anonymous communication protocol developed for quantum networks
Phys.org August 21, 2019 In the protocol developed by an international team of researchers (UK, USA – MIT, France) the player who wants to send a message anonymously notifies the receiver. Then, in each round of the protocol, an untrusted source creates an entangled quantum state called the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state and distributes it between the players. Each player can either check if the state is actually the GHZ state by running a verification test or use the state for anonymous quantum communication. If test fails, there is possible breach, the misbehaving source is caught. If they use the state […]
Researchers demonstrate three-dimensional quantum hall effect for the first time
Eurekalert August 15, 2019 The possibility of generalizing the Quantum Hall Effect (QHE ) to 3D electronic systems was proposed decades ago. Now an international team of researchers (China, USA – Brookhaven National Laboratory, Florida State University, MIT, Singapore) reports the experimental realization of the 3D QHE in bulk zirconium pentatelluride (ZrTe5) crystals. When they cooled the material to very low temperature while under a moderate magnetic field, its longitudinal resistivity drops to zero, indicating that the material transforms from a metal to an insulator. Using this unique material, the electrons can move through the surfaces, giving a Hall resistivity. […]
Researchers document a quantum spin wave for light
Phys.org August 19, 2019 Researchers at Purdue University have developed a unified perspective of unidirectional topological edge waves in nonreciprocal media. They focused on the inherent role of photonic spin in nonreciprocal gyroelectric media, i.e. magnetized metals or magnetized insulators. Hamiltonian approach predicts the existence of a third distinct class of Maxwellian edge wave exhibiting topological protection. This occurs in an intriguing topological bosonic phase of matter, fundamentally different from any known electronic or photonic medium. The goal of their paper is to discuss the three foundational classes of edge waves in a unified perspective while providing in-depth derivations, taking […]
Scientists discover new state of matter
Phys.org August 15, 2019 A team of researchers in the US (New York University, Wayne State University, SUNY Buffalo) have shown the experimental evidence for a topological superconductivity. They analyzed a transition of quantum state from its conventional state to a new topological state, measuring the energy barrier between these states focusing on majorana particles. Majorana particles have the potential to store quantum information in a special computation space where quantum information is protected from the environment noise. As there is no natural host material for these particles the new form of matter provides a platform on which these calculations […]
Two teams build invisibility cloaks for water applications
Phys.org August 14, 2019 Two teams of researchers (China, USA – Duke University, South Korea) created passive cloaks using different techniques. Both of them have possible real-world applications. One team created cloak by enclosing an object within a ring of 523 specially designed small pillars—the arrangement of the pillars deflected incoming fluid flow, resulting in zero drag on the object that was hidden. This method could possibly be used to reduce drag on ships or other watercraft. The second approach, based on waveguide cloaks, consisted of installing long, thin iron platforms on the bottom of a tank in its corners. […]
Wired for sound: A third wave emerges in integrated circuits
EurekAlert August 19, 2019 In their review article an international team of researchers (Australia, USA – Yale University, University of Illinois) outlines the rich physics that emerges from such a fundamental interaction as that between light and sound, which is found in all states of matter. The paper outlines the rich physics that emerges from such a fundamental interaction. The big advance here is in the simultaneous control of light and sound waves on small scales. According to the researchers there are barriers to overcome before this chip-scale integrated system can be deployed commercially, but the payoff in terms of […]
World’s first link layer protocol brings quantum internet closer to a reality
Phys.org August 20, 2019 Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a link layer protocol they identified for use in fundamental and technological design considerations of quantum network hardware. They illustrated it by considering the state-of-the-art quantum processor platform, Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. They examined the robustness and performance of the protocol. They implemented the protocol and successfully validated the physical simulation model against data gathered from the NV hardware. The protocol is robust. They studied the performance of the protocols for 169 distinct simulation scenarios and initiated the study of quantum network scheduling strategies to optimize protocol performance for […]
Top 10 Science and Technology Inventions for the Week of August 16, 2019
01. Portable radiation detectors make the invisible, visible 02. Quantum teleportation moves into the third dimension 03. Researchers design a light-trapping, color-converting crystal 04. Researchers turn off backscattering, aim to improve optical data transmission 05. Revolutionary way to bend metals could lead to stronger military vehicles 06. Russian hackers are infiltrating companies via the office printer 07. Thinnest optical waveguide channels light within just three layers of atoms 08. US Navy and Missile Defense Agency Megawatt Lasers by 2023-2024 09. New process discovered to completely degrade flame retardant in the environment 10. A hybrid material that switches reversibly between two […]
Building the future of federal science
EurekAlert August 8, 2019 According to the Council of Canadian Academies’ budget for 2018, the federal government committed $2.8 billion to renew its science laboratories through an infrastructure initiative. One of the goals of the initiative is to support the construction of multi‐purpose facilities that bring together scientists and engineers from across different departments and sectors. Beginning in 2019, the federal government will consider approaches to assess infrastructure investment opportunities that reflect a new vision for the federal S&T enterprise as collaborative, adaptive, and efficient… read more. Open Access REPORT