A group of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China has set a new record in the field of quantum physicsmanaging to maintain the paradox of Schrödinger’s cat for 23 minutes. This extraordinary result, published on the pre-print site ArXiv, marks a significant advance in the understanding of quantum states and their applications.
A quantum phenomenon explained: Schrödinger’s cat
The Schrödinger’s cat paradox it is a concept theorized by the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger to highlight the nature of quantum superposition. In this hypothesis, a cat closed in a box can be both alive and dead, due to the laws of quantum physics that make it impossible to determine a definite state. This state of superposition is fragile and fleeting, but it represents one of the most fascinating aspects of quantum mechanics.
In experiments conducted so far, scientists have managed to replicate the paradox using light particles or small crystals. However, the stability of these states was limited to a few seconds or milliseconds.
The Chinese Study: Like the Paradox lasted 23 minutes
In the new study, the team led by the physicist Zheng-Tian Lu he used 10,000 atoms of ytterbium trapped by laser light and cooled to a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero. Under these conditions, they managed to put each atom into one superposition of two states quantum leaps, each with a different spin. What makes this research unique was the ability to tune the lasers to maintain these states without collapsing into a single state, thus prolonging the phenomenon for 1400 secondsi.e. 23 minutes.
This result could open new frontiers in the field of quantum memory and enable the construction of more robust quantum devices. Furthermore, it could provide a tool to explore new magnetic interactions or discover yet unknown exotic phenomena in the world fundamental physics. Second Barry Sanders from the University of Calgary, this study represents a milestone in the stabilization of an atomic quantum system.