May 19, 2024

Scientists indirectly measure quantum superposition states of helium atoms

Scientists indirectly measure quantum superposition states of helium atoms

Can a penalty kick both score and miss the goal at the same time? This is possible for very small objects. According to the report of the Physicist Organization Network on January 21 (Beijing time), a physicist from the University of Bonn, Germany, has designed an experiment. The first experimental results prove that the helium atom actually takes two paths at the same time. About 100 years ago, the physicist Warner Heisenberg created a new field of physics—quantum mechanics. According to quantum theory, objects in the quantum world no longer move along explicit paths. Instead, they can Using different paths to reach the end at the same time, scientists call it quantum superposition. The atoms do seem to follow the laws of quantum mechanics.

Over the years, many experiments have confirmed the prediction of quantum mechanics. However, in the macroscopic daily life experience, football flies along a precise route, but never scores or loses points at the same time.

Why does a large object not produce a superposition of microscopic objects?

“There are two different explanations,” said Dr. Andrea Alberti of the Institute of Applied Physics at Bern University. “Quantum mechanics allows large macroscopic objects to produce superpositions, but this superposition is very fragile, even if it is followed only by the eyes. Football is enough to break the superposition and then let it follow a certain trajectory." But it may also be that football follows completely different rules. He said: "The explanation of macroscopic reality theory holds that football always follows a certain trajectory and is independent of our observations, and this is completely contrary to the laws of atomic movement."

Which of the above two explanations is correct? Is a big object different from a small object?

An experimental project designed by the University of Bern team in collaboration with Dr. Cliff Emery of the University of Hull in the UK may be able to solve this problem. Alberti said: "The biggest challenge is to formulate a method for measuring the position of atoms that can subvert the theory of macroscopic reality."

Physicists described their findings in Physical Review X. They used two optical tweezers to grasp a single helium atom and pull it in both directions. In macroscopic reality theory, this atom will eventually reach one of the directions. The viewpoint of quantum mechanics holds that this atom energy maintains a stable superposition state at two positions.

The observations ruled out the possibility of helium atoms complying with macroscopic reality theory. On the contrary, the experimental results of the Byrne team are in good agreement with the theory of superposition states. The researchers said: "We now use the gentlest indirect measurement method to determine the final position of the atom." But when indirect measurements occur, the superposition states It was destroyed again. What can be done now is to accept the fact that atoms actually take different paths at the same time.

Alberti suggested: “Now it cannot be proved that quantum mechanics also applies to large objects. The next step will separate the two positions of the deuterium atoms by several millimeters. If the superposition is also found in the following experiments, macroscopic reality theory will again Suffered a blow."

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