A completely new type of quantum entanglement which enables particles to become strangely linked even across huge cosmic distances.
It has been discovered by researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory, according to a recent study. They were able to get a previously unheard-of sight of the peculiar universe that resides inside atoms, the minuscule units that makeup matter. The novel study, which might have implications for everything from quantum computing to astrophysics, addresses a long-standing puzzle about the protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus of atoms.
The thrilling discoveries were made at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a specialized facility in Brookhaven, New York, that has the ability to accelerate charged atoms, also known as ions, to nearly the speed of light.
Quantum Entanglement Allows Incompatible Qualities
One of physics’ most astounding phenomena, quantum entanglement allows normally collectively incompatible qualities (like black and white) to coexist at the same time because the entangled quantum particles are in a shared superposition state. The laws of quantum physics typically only hold for small particles. Now that the consequences of quantum entanglement have been seen on a much greater scale—that of thousands of atoms—the research teams from Dresden and Munich have succeeded in doing so. They have opted to work with the well-known substance LiHoF4 for this.
Quantum entanglement is observed between identically matched pairs of photons or electrons. But now, the BNL team has discovered pairs of disparate particles engaging in quantum entanglement for the first time.
The discovery was made at Brookhaven Lab’s Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), which boosts and demolishes gold ions to study the types of matter that existed in the early universe. However, the researchers discovered that there was still much to be gained from near misses even when the ions did not collide.
