Quantum Physics

It's one thing to design a pharmaceutical drug. It's another to know if and why it actually works; not on paper or in a computer model, but inside the chaotic world of living systems, where proteins twist into shape, atoms constantly pull and push each other apart, and molecular interactions are the difference between health and disease.

Trions form when three particles, like quarks or electrons, come together. This formation occurs in quantum particles in nuclear physics, semiconductors and magnets, and understanding its behavior can be challenging. Rice University's Kaden Hazzard and his team recently developed a theory on how these formations occur and behave, which was published in Physical Review Letters.

Of the more than 624,000 highway bridges in the U.S., an estimated 220,000 need repairs. Quantum sensors could help engineers better safeguard these vital pieces of infrastructure

Microsoft’s Quantum Proof in Doubt A peer-reviewed critique in the journal Nature has reopened a hard question about

A research team led by professor Hao-Wu Lin from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) has developed what its claims to be the world's brightest room-temperature single-photon source, which uniquely combines ultrafast and non-blinking emission. The device emits more than 2.3 billion photons per second, reportedly setting a new global benchmark and marking a significant milestone toward practical quantum communication and integrated quantum photonic chips. Professor Hao-Wu Lin (center) and his research team, including doctoral student Tzu-Hao Liao (right) and Yung-Tang Chuang, developed the world's brightest room-temperature single-photon source, capable of emitting more than...

Sound waves, light waves and other types of waves, generally spread freely through space and over time. In 1958, physicist Philip W. Anderson first described a phenomenon via which irregularities or other sources of disorder in materials would prevent waves from propagating freely, which is now known as Anderson localization.

In a laboratory in Broomfield, Colorado, 98 atoms are suspended in midair, held in place by electric fields and cooled to temperatures close to absolute zero.

The hunt for these ghostly particles has required some of the most audacious experiment setups ever built. The post How Physicists Track and Trap the Elusive Neutrino first appeared on Quanta Magazine

The company has been touting its quantum technology for years, but some experts say these claims just don’t pass muster

Diamonds have long been coveted for their beauty. Their dazzling color and clarity make them perfect candidates for luxury jewelry. However, it's their other unique characteristics, including their hardness, thermal conductivity and chemical resistance, that make diamonds suitable for various applications in industry and advanced technologies.

From detecting the ripples of colliding black holes to imaging individual chemical bonds, mechanical transducers have repeatedly transformed our understanding of the universe. So far, however, the sensitivity of these devices has been intrinsically limited by the laws of quantum mechanics itself.

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi), a quantum optics and integrated photonics technology company, has acquired NHanced Semiconductors, Inc. in a cash and stock transaction valued at $73.1 million. NHanced will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of QCi and continue to support its current customers and partners, including those within the quantum ecosystem. According to the QCi, the acquisition marks an important step in its transition from research-driven innovation and prototyping to scalable commercial production. Illinois-based NHanced is an advanced packaging foundry specializing in integration, hybrid bonding, chiplet architectures, silicon interposers and photonics device integration. Its expertise in advanced semiconductor...

America’s Quantum Sprint President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday that push the United States to

Magnetic quantum oscillations have been unexpectedly observed in insulators, where freely moving charge carriers are not expected to exist. A joint study by researchers from Tokyo University of Science, The University of Tokyo and Kobe University investigated this puzzling behavior in the Kondo insulator YbB12 using ultrasound.

Researchers introduced TFM-IR, an ambient-condition infrared microscopy method that uses torsional cantilever dynamics and nonlinear frequency mixing to map in-plane and out-of-plane photothermal responses at the nanoscale. The technique resolved anisotropic strain in mica nanobubbles and achieved near-nanometer optical imaging in twisted bilayer graphene, enabling site-resolved spectroscopy within individual moiré cells.

Researchers have discovered how certain photosynthetic bacteria use a sophisticated quantum mechanism to increase their efficiency when capturing sunlight. The study, published today in the journal Nature Chemistry and led by Professor Jenny Clark, reveals that nature has been using a process called "singlet fission," effectively a "two-for-one" energy deal, to optimize solar harvesting. The findings provide a new blueprint for green technology, particularly as engineers attempt to copy this mechanism to build next-generation solar panels and quantum technologies.

Researchers from the University of Sydney, working with IBM, have identified and quantified important factors limiting the performance of quantum computers and demonstrated ways to overcome their impact.

New technique allows researchers to probe the top layer of an atomically thin topological quantum material for the first time The post Encapsulation enhances surface structure imaging of 2D quantum material appeared first on Physics World.

Ultrasonic measurements reveal magnetic quantum oscillations only after YbB12 transitions into a metallic state.

Quantum technology company Infleqtion has launched America’s Quantum Space Initiative, a program that brings together industry and one academic partner to help advance the development and deployment of quantum technologies for future space systems. With Voyager Technologies, Monarch Quantum, Armada, and the University of Colorado Boulder, the effort is designed to foster collaboration across industry, academia, and government to accelerate innovation, expand opportunities for quantum technologies in space, and strengthen U.S. leadership in next-generation technologies. In addition to helping bring together leaders across these disciplines, the founding members will identify opportunities for technology development,...

Quantum materials are a class of exotic materials with special properties that are governed by quantum mechanics rather than classical physics.

In a study published in Nature Physics, Rice University’s Qimiao Si collaborated with researchers from TU Wien in an experiment

In the development of diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cancer, Ebola and dengue, numerous chemical reactions take place within and between cells that contribute to disease progression. These changes can occur in less than the blink of an eye—within microseconds or faster—making them difficult to analyze. Quantum sensing offers a way to monitor these changes, helping researchers determine when, where and how rapid biological processes occur.

Our body contains an intricate system of tiny vessels through which blood, water and other molecules flow. When the size of the pipes shrinks to the nanoscale, where only a few molecules can fit side by side, the classical laws of physics governing the behavior of water are influenced by the atomic structure of the walls. "It's not that classical hydrodynamics breaks down, but rather that it gets mixed with the condensed matter physics of the solid walls," says Nikita Kavokine, tenure-track assistant professor and leader of the EPFL Quantum Plumbing Lab.

Physicists from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) have examined a fundamental property of quantum mechanics in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In an article published in the journal Physical Review Letters, they show that this theory does not necessarily need to be formulated with imaginary numbers—real numbers can, in fact, also be used.

A researcher at Kyushu University and his collaborators have shown that continuous parameters in quantum gravity may not be freely adjustable "dials" from outside the theory, but rather arise from operators within the theory itself, supporting the century-old claim by Albert Einstein about the fundamental laws of nature.

An analysis of ancient teeth is giving scientists a rare peek into interactions between human relatives hundreds of thousands of years ago that have left a lasting imprint on our species.

Researchers found that twisting layered sheets of hexagonal boron nitride can dramatically change the light produced by quantum emitters embedded within the material. The technique offers an unexpected new level of control over components that could power future quantum computers, communications systems, and sensors.

Researchers reported this week a deadly outbreak of plague in Siberia 5,500 years ago, revealing that Yersinia pestis evolved lethal genetic traits far earlier than suspected. A drug developed for heart tissue repair may also help kidney tissue repair and regeneration. And neighborhood socialization opportunities could shape children's brain development.

Researchers show that twisting atom-thin boron nitride layers can tune quantum light emitters, offering new control for quantum technologies.

In a paper published in Science Advances, researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and Kyung Hee University have found a new way to control quantum light sources, which is one of the key elements needed before quantum technologies can be used reliably in real-world systems.

A distant galaxy nicknamed Shadow Blaster may have revealed a surprising source of cosmic neutrinos: extreme star formation instead of a supermassive black hole. The discovery suggests that hidden, dust-filled starburst galaxies could account for a significant fraction of the Universe’s high-energy neutrinos.

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Author(s): Fatemeh Moradi-Kalarde and Marc-Olivier RenouBy exploiting a physically motivated principle, rather than a mathematical postulate, researchers offer a new perspective on how a real-valued quantum theory can be constructed. [Physics 19, 85] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Physicists in China have observed five phases in localization physics within a single quantum system. Using an advanced photonic platform, the team, led by Yucheng Wang and Jingyun Fan at the Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, has demonstrated that localization physics is likely far richer than physicists anticipated. Their results have been published in Physical Review Letters.

Atom Computing, a quantum computing developer, and Nu Quantum, a developer of distributed quantum computing technology, announced a collaboration to build the hardware essential to scaling neutral-atom quantum computers to utility. The partnership will utilize Atom Computing’s neutral-atom quantum computers with Nu Quantum’s dynamically reconfigurable photonic networking hardware. The work will focus on integrated photonics network switches, qubit-photon entanglement technologies, and the modelling of distributed fault-tolerant computing architectures. This partnership will accelerate Atom Computing’s roadmap to deliver scalable photonically networked quantum computing. Ben Bloom (left), CEO and co-founder of Atom...

In a new study published in Physical Review Letters, a team from the Nägerl group, together with theory collaborator Alvise Bastianello from the CNRS and the Université Paris-Dauphine, demonstrates that highly unusual quantum states known as "fractional Fermi seas" can be quantum engineered.

By harnessing the unique properties of quantum mechanics, scientists and engineers worldwide seek to enable systems with extraordinary capabilities. Many of them are working on the highly anticipated development of quantum computers capable of completing complex calculations at unprecedented speeds. These computers could meet the growing computational demands of both scientific research and data-intensive industries like finance, cybersecurity, and medicine.

A public-private partnership in the Mountain West announced new results today that mark steady progress toward the Department of Energy's goal of fault-tolerant quantum computing, systems large and reliable enough to solve complex problems.

Scientists studying particle collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) usually capture what happens when atomic nuclei smash into one another at nearly the speed of light. But even when the nuclei don't collide, interesting things can happen. In a new paper just published in Physical Review Letters, members of RHIC's STAR collaboration describe a new way to use near-miss collisions at RHIC to study what's going on inside the nucleus. The approach advances the reach of RHIC, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility at DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory, into the next frontier in nuclear physics—a journey into the inner workings of the building blocks of matter.

Pairing atom-based sensors cancels overwhelming laser noise, revealing faint signals that future detectors could use to probe hidden cosmic phenomena.

A prototype quantum sensor developed by researchers at Imperial has demonstrated for the first time that a key principle behind next-generation quantum detectors can work under realistic conditions.

Physicists have long been drawn to the nonlinear Hall effect: a subtle variant of the classical Hall effect, in which an electric voltage appears perpendicular to a current flowing through a material. Unlike its classical counterpart, the nonlinear version can arise even without breaking time-reversal symmetry, and its magnitude is tied to deep geometric properties of electron wave functions. So far, however, the behavior of the effect when a magnetic field is applied has remained poorly understood.

Firm develops superconducting processors, resonators and sensors for quantum computers The post Scottish quantum start-up Quantcore wins IOP qBIG prize appeared first on Physics World.

Gemini North telescope on Maunakea helps uncover strongest evidence yet that distant star-forming galaxies contribute to the production of one of the Universe’s most mysterious ghost particles.

Neutrinos are one of the fundamental particles of the universe. They live a ghostly existence with no electric charge, very little mass and extremely few interactions with matter. They are also the most abundant particles with mass in the universe and can be created through a variety of processes, such as the decay of heavy particles, nuclear reactions in the sun and the explosions of stars.

Cleveland Clinic researchers are unlocking quantum computing's full potential through the creation of a new computing paradigm inspired by the human brain. Fabio Cumbo, Ph.D., research associate in the lab of Daniel Blankenberg, Ph.D., associate staff, Computational Life Sciences, is developing the model, called quantum hyperdimensional computing (QHDC).

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have switched on NASA's newly upgraded Cold Atom Lab, a one-of-a-kind facility designed to improve how scientists explore the fundamental workings of matter and develop new quantum technologies. By leveraging the unique environment of microgravity in space, the lab can accomplish cutting-edge science impossible to do anywhere else.

Many quantum effects can be observed only when a small number of particles is studied—individual atoms, molecules or photons, for example, carefully shielded from the rest of the world. But what about macroscopic objects, consisting of an unimaginably large number of particles? Can they, too, display effects that provide a direct glimpse into the quantum world?

Defying the laws of thermodynamics, experiments are beginning to show that a quantum state that is frozen forever might not be impossible. If we can tame it, it could unlock whole new types of matter

Ultrafast laser pulses switch a quantum material from insulating to conductive, revealing a hidden phase with potential for future electronics.

Colorado-based quantum computing company Atom Computing and U.S.- and U.K.-based quantum algorithms company Phasecraft have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore how application-focused algorithms can be used to benchmark progress toward utility-scale quantum computers. Through this MOU, the companies will collaborate on accelerating the delivery and adoption of quantum solutions in key application areas, such as the development of materials for batteries and photovoltaics. By adapting Phasecraft's advanced algorithms and software to Atom Computing's neutral-atom quantum computing hardware, the collaboration aims to accelerate the path towards useful applications in materials science and energy, according to the...

Author(s): Gal ShavitA new experiment probes the quantum geometry of electronic wave functions involved in a nonlinear Hall response. [Physics 19, 83] Published Mon Jun 15, 2026

Researchers around the world are racing to develop new quantum-based systems for sensing, communication, computing and control that have the promise of outperforming traditional systems. Creating stable, measurable, distinguishable quantum states—which would be the heart of any such system—is a daunting task.

Quantum computing firm QuEra says it plans to make a fault-tolerant quantum computer and offer it to users through the cloud in 2028, which will require a real leap in engineering

A team of U.S. researchers has designed a passive quantum error correction technique that enables qubits to correct their own errors. Demonstrated by Shruti Shirol and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the protocol transforms the inevitable dissipation of energy in qubit systems from a hindrance into an advantage, offering a promising route toward practical quantum computing outside the lab. The research has been published in Physical Review X.

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Scientists think a new framework for quantum gravity could offer clues about a mysterious 5th fundamental force of nature.

A spin qubit, in which quantum information is encoded in the spin state of an electron, is one

A recent study published in Nature Communications demonstrates precise control over electron spatial arrangement in two directions simultaneously—without any applied voltage—through interface engineering between semimetal bismuth (Bi) thin films and two-dimensional semiconductor MoS₂.

Author(s): Mark BuchananResearchers boosted the sensitivity for measurements of the motion of a levitated nanoparticle, with potential uses in dark matter searches. [Physics 19, 84] Published Fri Jun 12, 2026

Scientists at RIKEN have proposed a new way to make quantum systems synchronize in only one direction—like a one-way street for sound particles known as phonons. The breakthrough combines two quantum effects to create a form of one-way quantum synchronization that remains surprisingly stable even when exposed to manufacturing flaws and environmental noise, two major obstacles that have long hindered real-world quantum technologies.

Scientists at the University of Hong Kong have created a remarkable new type of brain-inspired chip that can function just above absolute zero, one of the coldest environments imaginable. By using a standard silicon carbide transistor in a completely new way, the team made a single device behave like an energy-efficient neuron, firing electrical “spikes” similar to those in the human brain.

Deep beneath the ground in China, the massive JUNO neutrino observatory has delivered its first major scientific breakthrough, achieving one of the most precise measurements yet of how elusive neutrinos change as they travel. Using just 59 days of data, researchers sharply improved measurements of key neutrino properties, boosting confidence that JUNO can tackle one of particle physics' biggest mysteries: determining the true mass hierarchy of neutrinos.

A superconducting quantum computer is part of a network that is mining an experimental cryptocurrency called Quip, and it is able to do it faster and with better energy efficiency than conventional machines

Researchers at Emory University demonstrated electrically tunable, nonlinear optics in plasmonic tunnel junctions, and reduced the size of these devices from the conventional scale of hundreds of nm down to only a few nm. Electrically controlled, nonlinear, microscopic-scale optical devices could enable processes essential for integrated photonics, including signal processing, ultrafast switching, and quantum light manipulation. To produce a nonlinear optical phenomenon called second harmonic generation (SHG), the researchers developed plasmonic tunnel junctions comprising epitaxial indium tin oxide (ITO) and plasmonic gold electrodes, separated by an epitaxial lutetium oxide (LuO) barrier. SHG is currently used to double laser...

Quantum materials, materials with properties that are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, have proved to be highly promising for the development of ultra-efficient electronic devices, quantum processors, highly precise sensors and various other technologies. Reliably controlling these materials' quantum phases would be highly advantageous, as it would enable engineers to tailor and optimize their properties for specific applications.

Author(s): Michael SchirberA disagreement over neutrino-mass estimates might be resolved by assuming that neutrinos decay into hypothetical massless particles. [Physics 19, s72] Published Thu Jun 11, 2026

A research team in Bochum, Germany has unexpectedly found that light can slow down movements in the nanoworld. This is due to quantum friction, a phenomenon that has been poorly understood until now. The findings are published in the journal Nature.

In a quest to build the most accurate quantum sensors in the world, scientists are constantly improving their performance, making them more precise, more stable and more reliable. But eventually, physical constraints will prevent further improvements.

An experiment with a toy universe made up of extremely cold atoms shows how time can emerge from quantum interactions, instead of existing by default

The growing threat posed by quantum computers has accelerated the development of quantum-resistant encryption technologies. These new cryptographic

Quantum materials are a class of exotic materials with special properties that are governed by quantum mechanics rather than classical physics. Those properties—like superconductivity, entanglement and unusual forms of magnetism—often originate in the tiny repeating patterns of atoms inside crystals, but through clever engineering, they can be observed and controlled at a more human scale. Quantum materials are helping to power the quickly growing field of quantum computing and could find their way into future generations of energy-efficient electronics.

Scientists have uploaded a viral genome to a quantum computer, marking an important step for the future of quantum-enabled advancements in biology.

Quantum computers—systems that process information and perform computations by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics—could solve some tasks faster and more effectively than classical computers. While some studies have demonstrated the advantages of these computers for specific tasks, ensuring their reliable operation in real-world settings has proved challenging.

Physicists at University College Cork have developed a new approach in the search for a quantum spin liquid, a long-sought state of quantum matter resembling a magnetic liquid whose quantum properties mean it never freezes. The work is a key step in the search for quantum silicon, a mineral that could be used to create quantum computers, just as silicon is used in traditional computers. The resulting paper appears in Nature Physics.

Researchers at University College Dublin and international collaborators have just published a detailed and accessible guide that aims to translate theoretical ideas into practical devices for quantum enhanced sensing technologies.

An international team of researchers has reported a major advance in understanding quantum dynamics in semiconductor materials. They directly observed how excitons and phonons evolve together in perovskite nanocrystals, revealing a fully coherent quantum dance between light-induced electronic excitations and crystal lattice vibrations. They published their findings in Nature Communications.

Researchers at Kanazawa University, in collaboration with Diamond and Carbon Applications (Germany), have developed a buried-growth process for nitrogen–vacancy (NV) centers in diamond using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). By employing nitrogen-radical selective etching, which simultaneously enhances metal-mask durability through nitridation, the team enabled a continuous etching–growth sequence within a single MPCVD process.

Physics is considered a cold, hard science – but it will transform your life if you view it with a bit more subjectivity, says Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

A new Chinese quantum computing system pairs two independent neutral-atom arrays in one processor, aiming to boost stability, efficiency and scalability.

Quantum memories, systems that store and retrieve information leveraging quantum mechanical effects, can outperform classical storage systems on some existing tasks. Yet these promising memories could also complete operations that are very difficult or impossible for classical systems, including the storage and retrieval of so-called isometry channels.

Author(s): Sam JarmanResearchers use a quantum Bell test to generate certifiably random numbers, key ingredients for secure network communications. [Physics 19, 81] Published Mon Jun 08, 2026

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have developed a practical, comprehensive noise-modeling framework for a popular class of superconducting quantum processors. Their work, published in the journal PRX Quantum, offers a sevenfold improvement in predictive accuracy over existing approaches.

Researchers from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Centre for Advanced Semiconductors and Integrated Circuits (CASIC) have achieved a major breakthrough in cryogenic electronics. The team has developed a programmable neuromorphic hardware platform that operates near absolute zero, providing a potential solution for scaling up quantum computers and enabling deep-space exploration. The discovery was published in Nature Communications in an article titled "Cryogenic neuromorphic circuits using gate-controlled negative differential resistance in silicon carbide."

Florida State University physicists are part of a team that has discovered unusual superconducting states in parts of graphene, with the potential to drive unexpected quantum technologies.