In the world of quantum physics, amazing events happen at incredible speeds. Processes that are thought to happen instantaneously, such as quantum entanglement, are now measured directly in tiny fractions of a second – attoseconds.
It is like spending a short time revealing subtle details hidden in plain sight.
Together with a group of researchers from China, Professor Joachim Burgdörfer and his colleagues at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien are measuring this short time to understand how quantum entanglement actually occurs.
These scientists are not focused on the existence of quantum entanglement, but they are keen to uncover how it begins – exactly how do two particles hold together?
Understanding quantum entanglement
Using advanced computer simulations, they were able to peer into processes occurring on attosecond timescales – billionths of a billionth of a second.
Quantum entanglement is a mysterious and fascinating phenomenon where two particles become so entangled that they share a single state.
It’s like having two magic coins that always land on the same side – one flip, and the other shows the same amazing result, even though it’s miles apart.
“You can say that the particles do not have individual properties, they only have the same properties. From a mathematical point of view, they are firmly connected, even if they are in two completely different places,” explains Prof. Burgdörfer.
This means that measuring one particle immediately affects the state of another, no matter how far apart it is.
Simply put, the entangled particles share a relationship that allows them to “talk” to each other instantly. Measure one particle, and you’ll immediately know something about its counterpart.
This strange behavior defies our everyday understanding of how the world works, and makes entanglement one of the most intriguing concepts in quantum physics.
Measuring with lasers and electrons
As absurd as the concept of quantum entanglement seems, it is no longer a matter of debate whether it is true or not, and that is not what this study is about.
“We, on the other hand, are interested in something else – to find out how this disturbance begins and what physical effects play on a very short time scale,” says Prof. Iva Březinová, one of the authors of the latest edition.
To test this, the team looked at atoms that were hit by a very powerful and high-intensity laser beam. Imagine shining a powerful flashlight on an atom.
One electron gets so excited that it breaks free and flies away. If the laser is strong enough, the second electron inside the atom also receives a vibration, moving to a higher energy level and changing its orbit around the nucleus.
So, after this powerful burst of light, one electron annihilates itself, and the other remains behind but not the same as before.
“We can show that these two electrons are now quantum,” says Professor Burgdörfer. “You can analyze them together – and you can make a measurement on one of the electrons and learn something about the other electron at the same time.”
Time is blurred in attoseconds
This is where things get really interesting. An electron in flight has no specific time when it leaves the atom.
“This means that the birth time of the flying electron is not known in principle. You can say that the electron itself does not know when it left the atom,” Prof. Burgdörfer says.
It is in what is called quantum superposition, which means that it exists in many states at the same time.
But there is more. The time at which the electron leaves is related to the energy of the electron left behind.
If the remaining electron has a higher energy, the departing electron may leave earlier. If it is at a lower energy level, the electron probably left later – on average around 232 attoseconds later.
Measuring the immeasurable
An attosecond is so short that most people cannot understand it. However, these small differences are not just speculation.
“These differences can not only be calculated, but also measured experimentally,” says Professor Burgdörfer.
The team developed a measurement protocol that combines two different laser beams to capture this critical moment.
They are already collaborating with other researchers who are eager to experiment and observe these most chaotic things in the laboratory.
The importance of quantum entanglement
Understanding how entanglement models can have major implications for quantum technologies such as cryptography and computing.
Instead of just trying to stay trapped, scientists can now study its origins. This could lead to new ways to control quantum processes and improve the security of quantum communications.
The journey does not stop here. Prof. Burgdörfer and his team are excited about the next steps.
He says: “We are already in discussions with research groups that want to prove such rapid collisions.”
By examining these short time scales, they’re not just looking at quantitative effects – they’re redefining how we understand reality.
Quantum entanglement and the future
It is clear that in the quantum world, even short periods of time contain a lot of information.
Iva Březinová explains: “The electron doesn’t just come out of the atom. It’s a wave that spills out of the atom, so to speak – and it takes some time.
“It is precisely at this point that the entanglement occurs, and its effect can be measured later by observing the two electrons,” he concludes.
So the next time you blink, remember that in less than a trillionth of that time, all quantum phenomena are unfolding, revealing secrets that could change the future of technology and our understanding of the universe.
The full study is published in the journal Physical Examination Letters.
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