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Quantum electrodynamics experiment

Researchers see application in future quantum technologies

Date:
April 24, 2020
Source:
University of Heidelberg
Summary:
The fundamental laws of physics are based on symmetries that, among other things, determine the interactions between charged particles. Using ultracold atoms, researchers have experimentally constructed the symmetries of quantum electrodynamics. They hope to gain new insights for implementing future quantum technologies that can simulate complex physical phenomena.
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The fundamental laws of physics are based on symmetries that, among other things, determine the interactions between charged particles. Using ultracold atoms, researchers at Heidelberg University have experimentally constructed the symmetries of quantum electrodynamics. They hope to gain new insights for implementing future quantum technologies that can simulate complex physical phenomena. The results of the study were published in the journal Science.

The theory of quantum electrodynamics deals with the electromagnetic interaction between electrons and light particles. It is based on so-called U(1) symmetry, which for instance specifies the movement of particles. With their experiments, the Heidelberg physicists, under the direction of Junior Professor Dr Fred Jendrzejewski, seek to advance the efficient investigation of this complex physical theory. They recently succeeded in experimentally realising one elementary building block. "We see the results of our research as a major step towards a platform built from a chain of properly connected building blocks for a large-scale implementation of quantum electrodynamics in ultracold atoms," explains Prof. Jendrzejewski, who directs an Emmy Noether group at Heidelberg University's Kirchhoff Institute for Physics.

According to the researchers, one possible application would be developing large-scale quantum devices to simulate complex physical phenomena that cannot be studied with particle accelerators. The elementary building block developed for this study could also benefit the investigation of problems in materials research, such as in strongly interacting systems that are difficult to calculate.


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Materials provided by University of Heidelberg. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Alexander Mil, Torsten V. Zache, Apoorva Hegde, Andy Xia, Rohit P. Bhatt, Markus K. Oberthaler, Philipp Hauke, Jürgen Berges, Fred Jendrzejewski. A scalable realization of local U(1) gauge invariance in cold atomic mixtures. Science, 2020; 367 (6482): 1128 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz5312

Cite This Page:

University of Heidelberg. "Quantum electrodynamics experiment." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 April 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200424132550.htm>.
University of Heidelberg. (2020, April 24). Quantum electrodynamics experiment. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 31, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200424132550.htm
University of Heidelberg. "Quantum electrodynamics experiment." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/04/200424132550.htm (accessed October 31, 2024).

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