Tag

Quantum Electrodynamics

All articles tagged with #quantum electrodynamics

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Breakthrough: Scientists Unveil the Shape of a Single Photon

Researchers led by Dr. Benjamin Yuen at the University of Birmingham have defined the precise shape of a single photon for the first time, marking a significant advancement in quantum physics. Published in Physical Review Letters, the study provides a visual representation of a photon and enhances understanding of photon emission and interaction with the environment. This breakthrough could revolutionize nanophotonic technologies, impacting fields like secure communication, pathogen detection, and quantum computing by enabling engineered light-matter interactions.

via Earth.com|

#light-matter-interaction #photon #photon-shape

physics1 year ago•6 min saved

"Exploring Quantum Spin Liquids with Quantum Electrodynamics"

Researchers have found a correspondence between the spectrum of elementary excitations of a quantum spin liquid (QSL) and a quantum field theory, suggesting the possibility of testing particle physics theories with condensed-matter systems. The study focused on a well-studied QSL model, the Heisenberg J1 − J2 triangular antiferromagnet, and found a one-to-one correspondence with quantum electrodynamics in two spatial dimensions plus time (QED3). This discovery opens the prospect of detecting hypothetical elementary particles, such as magnetic monopoles, in a real QSL, and further research is needed to understand how QED3 excitations manifest in the physical response of the frustrated antiferromagnet and its stability to physical perturbations.

via Physics|

#condensed-matter-physics #physics #quantum-electrodynamics

science2 years ago•4 min saved

Groundbreaking Experiments to Probe 'Quantum Flickering' in Empty Space Set for 2024

German researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are planning to conduct the first-ever experiments in 2024 to directly measure quantum flickering in an empty vacuum. If successful, the experiments could confirm the existence of quantum energy in the vacuum or potentially lead to the discovery of new laws of nature. The researchers will use an ultra-powerful laser to manipulate vacuum fluctuations and change the polarization of an X-ray flash, aiming to detect the presence of quantum flickering. The experiments may also reveal the existence of axions, exotic "ghost" particles, or uncover previously unknown laws of nature.

via The Debrief|

#experiments #helmholtz-zentrum-dresden-rossendorf #quantum-electrodynamics

science-and-technology2 years ago•3 min saved

Decoding the Enigma of Magnetar X-Rays: Quantum Metamorphosis Revealed

Astrophysicist Dong Lai proposes that a quantum electrodynamics effect called "photon metamorphosis" explains the observed X-ray polarization from a magnetar, a neutron star with a strong magnetic field. Lai's theory suggests that X-ray photons passing through the magnetar's magnetized atmosphere can temporarily transform into pairs of virtual electrons and positrons, resulting in different polarizations for low and high-energy X-rays. This phenomenon, known as vacuum birefringence, provides insights into the behavior of matter in extreme conditions and helps scientists understand the nature of magnetars and neutron stars.

via SciTechDaily|

#astrophysics #magnetar #photon-metamorphosis

science-and-technology2 years ago•7 min saved

Exotic Atoms Confirm Quantum Electrodynamics in Groundbreaking Study

Scientists have successfully conducted a proof-of-principle experiment to verify strong-field quantum electrodynamics within exotic atoms. By measuring the energy spectrum of muonic characteristic X-rays emitted from muonic atoms using a sophisticated X-ray detector, they were able to verify contributions from vacuum polarization in strong-field quantum electrodynamics with a high precision of 5.8%. This achievement marks a significant advancement in the verification of key physical laws and has potential applications in various research areas.

via SciTechDaily|

#exotic-atoms #high-precision-measurement #muonic-atoms

science-and-astronomy2 years ago•4 min saved

Supernova's leftovers may hold super-dense star.

The remnants surrounding the supernova leftovers of Cassiopeia A may contain a highly magnetized neutron star, or magnetar, and quantum activity never seen before. The first-ever measurement of the polarization of X-rays around a magnetar showed that lower energy X-rays were polarized at 180 degrees to the high-energy X-rays. "Photon metamorphosis," an element of quantum electrodynamics, may be able to explain the weird behavior of X-rays around magnetars. The study of neutron stars helps scientists better understand the physics of matter in conditions that couldn't ever be simulated ever on Earth, meaning it adds to our understanding of the universe's beauty and diversity.

via Space.com|

#magnetar #neutron-star #quantum-electrodynamics

science2 years ago•7 min saved

Exotic atoms confirm quantum electrodynamics.

An international team of researchers, including the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, has conducted a proof-of-principle experiment to verify strong-field quantum electrodynamics with exotic atoms. The team performed high-precision measurements of the energy spectrum of muonic characteristic X-rays emitted from muonic atoms using a state-of-the-art X-ray detector. The highly efficient and accurate X-ray energy determination method using state-of-the-art quantum technology demonstrated in this research is expected to be applied to various research fields, such as non-destructive elemental analysis methods using muonic atoms.

via Phys.org|

#exotic-atoms #high-precision-measurements #muonic-atoms

science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Neutron Star X-rays Unveil Photon Transformation"

Scientists have observed a "beautiful effect" predicted by quantum electrodynamics (QED) that explains the first observations of polarized X-rays emitted by a magnetar, a neutron star with a powerful magnetic field. The phenomenon can be naturally explained as a result of "photon metamorphosis" - a transformation of X-ray photons that has been theorized but never directly observed. The research builds on calculations incorporating observations NASA reported last November of the magnetar 4U 0142+61, located 13,000 light-years away in the Cassiopeia constellation.

via Phys.org|

#astrophysics #magnetar #neutron-star