High Energy Physics and Computational Science

Researchers at the University of Michigan discovered a way to produce bright, twisted light using technology akin to an Edison bulb. This breakthrough revisits the principles of blackbody radiation , offering the potential for advanced robotic vision systems capable of distinguishing subtle variations in light properties, such as those emitted by living organisms or objects. Bright, Twisted Light: A Surprising Innovation Researchers at the University of Michigan have demonstrated that bright, twisted light can be generated using technology reminiscent of Edison’s iconic light bulb. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of fundamental physics but also opens new possibilities for robotic vision systems and other applications involving light that spirals through space in a helical pattern. “It’s hard to generate enough brightness when producing twisted light with traditional ways like electron or photon luminescence ,” explained Jun Lu, an adjunct research investigator in chem...

In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called " quantum entanglement ". In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have figured out a way to achieve the unthinkable: quantum teleportation. While the name may suggest that humans could be teleported through the technology, it is far from the real-life implication of the technology. Quantum teleportation allows the transfer of information instantly and over any distance without needing any future technology. Led by Prem Kumar from Northwestern University, Illinois, US, scientists demonstrated quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cable that already carries everyday internet traffic, according to a report in ScieneAlert. In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called " quantum entanglement ". Think of entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two...

New light-based studies of Bi2212 superconductors reveal key insights into high-temperature superconductivity, advancing the quest for room-temperature applications. Copper-oxide (CuO2) superconductors, including Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212), are notable for their unusually high critical temperatures. Previous studies using optical reflectivity measurements revealed that Bi2212 exhibits strong optical anisotropy, meaning its optical properties change depending on the direction of incoming light. However, its optical anisotropy had not been thoroughly explored through optical transmittance measurements, which provide more direct insights into the material’s internal structure. Recently, researchers used ultraviolet and visible light transmittance techniques on lead-doped Bi2212 single crystals, uncovering the source of this anisotropy and paving the way for a deeper understanding of its superconducting mechanisms. High-Temperature Superconductors Superconductors are materials that can con...

Linköping University’s experiment confirms a key theoretical link between quantum mechanics and information theory, highlighting future implications for quantum technology and secure communication. Researchers at Linköping University and their collaborators have successfully confirmed a decade-old theory linking the complementarity principle a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics with information theory. Their study, published in the journal Science Advances, provides valuable insights for understanding future quantum communication , metrology, and cryptography. “Our results have no clear or direct application right now. It’s basic research that lays the foundation for future technologies in quantum information and quantum computers. There’s enormous potential for completely new discoveries in many different research fields,” says Guilherme B Xavier, researcher in quantum communication at Linköping University, Sweden. Historical Context of Wave-Particle Duality To understand what ...

Dark energy an unknown energy source that is causing our Universe’s expansion to accelerate doesn’t actually exist, according to new research. Dark energy is commonly thought to be a weak anti-gravity force which acts independently of matter and makes up around two thirds of the mass-energy density of the Universe. The Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which has served as the standard cosmological model for quarter of a century, requires dark energy to explain the observed acceleration in the rate at which the cosmos is expanding. Astrophysicists base this conclusion on measurements of the distances to supernova explosions in distant galaxies, which appear to be farther away than they should be if the Universe’s expansion were not accelerating. However, the present expansion rate of the Universe is increasingly being challenged by new observations. Firstly, evidence from the afterglow of the Big Bang  the Cosmic Microwave Background shows the expansion of the early Universe...

The plot has just thickened in the mystery tale about the unseen mass skulking inside the largest cluster of stars in the Milky Way galaxy . In the heart of Omega Centauri, a huge glob of gravitationally bound stars over 17,000 light-years away, astronomers have just uncovered evidence of an entire swarm of stellar-mass black holes. This discovery presents some interesting problems, centered around the fact that previous research suggested the mass was one big black hole, thousands of times the mass of the Sun. But learning the true nature of the darkness that lurks in Omega Centauri brings us closer to solving those problems. "We have long known about supermassive black holes at galaxy centers and smaller stellar-mass black holes within our own galaxy. However, the idea of intermediate-mass black holes, which could bridge the gap between these extremes, remains unproven," explains astrophysicist Andrés Bañares Hernández of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Isla...

Research published in Astronomy & Astrophysics has cast doubt on the supposed discovery of an intermediate-mass black hole in the star cluster Omega Centauri. Initial findings suggested a black hole with a mass equivalent to 8,200 times that of the Sun resided at the cluster's core. However, a reanalysis indicates the high-velocity stars in this dense region could instead be influenced by a cluster of stellar-mass black holes. According to Justin Read, a physicist at the University of Surrey, in a statement, the likelihood of an intermediate black hole now appears slim, with its mass potentially less than 6,000 solar masses. Why Intermediate-Mass Black Holes Matter Intermediate-mass black holes, sitting between stellar-mass and supermassive black holes, are theorised to bridge the evolutionary gap between these extremes. Despite being crucial to understanding black hole growth, their existence remains elusive. Scientists initially believed the gravitational effects of an int...

Altermagnetism , a newly imaged class of magnetism, offers potential for the development of faster and more efficient magnetic memory devices, increasing operation speeds by up to a thousand times. Researchers from the University of Nottingham have demonstrated that this third class of magnetism, combining properties of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, could revolutionize computer memory and reduce environmental impact by decreasing reliance on rare elements. Altermagnetism’s Unique Properties A groundbreaking study has imaged a newly discovered type of magnetism called altermagnetism for the first time. This discovery could pave the way for developing advanced magnetic memory devices capable of operating up to a thousand times faster than current technologies. Altermagnetism is a unique magnetic order where tiny magnetic building blocks align in opposite (antiparallel) directions, similar to antiferromagnetism. However, unlike traditional antiferromagnetic materials, the cryst...

String theory , conceptualized more than 50 years ago as a framework to explain the formation of matter, remains elusive as a “provable” phenomenon. But a team of physicists has now taken a significant step forward in validating string theory by using an innovative mathematical method that points to its “inevitability.” String theory posits that the most basic building blocks of nature are not particles, but, rather, one-dimensional vibrating strings that move at different frequencies in determining the type of particle that emerges akin to how vibrations of string instruments produce an array of musical notes. In their work, reported in the journal Physical Review Letters, New York University and Caltech researchers posed the following question: “What is the math question to which string theory is the only answer?” This approach to understanding physics is known as the “bootstrap,” which is reminiscent of the adage about “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” producing results wi...

MIT physicists surprised to discover electrons in pentalayer graphene can exhibit fractional charge. New theoretical research from MIT physicists explains how it could work, suggesting that electron interactions in confined two-dimensional spaces lead to novel quantum states, independent of magnetic fields. MIT physicists have made significant progress in understanding how electrons can split into fractional charges. Their findings reveal the conditions that create exotic electronic states in graphene and other two-dimensional materials. This new research builds on a recent discovery by another MIT team led by Assistant Professor Long Ju. Ju’s group observed that electrons seem to carry “ fractional charges ” in pentalayer graphene a structure made of five stacked graphene layers placed on a similar sheet of boron nitride. Ju discovered that when he sent an electric current through the pentalayer structure, the electrons seemed to pass through as fractions of their total charge, even ...

Google’s latest quantum computer chip , which the team dubbed Willow, has ignited a heated debate in the scientific community over the existence of parallel universes. Following an eye-opening achievement in computational problem-solving, claims have surfaced that the chip’s success aligns with the theory of a multiverse , a concept that suggests our universe is one of many coexisting in parallel dimensions. In this piece, we’ll examine both sides of this argument that seems to have opened up a parallel universe of its own with one universe of scientists suggesting the Willow experiments offer evidence of a multiverse and the other suggesting it has nothing to do with the theory at all. 10 Septillion Years Is a Long Time For a Universe According to Google, Willow solved a computational problem in under five minutes a task that would have taken the world’s fastest supercomputers approximately 10 septillion years. This staggering feat, announced in a blog post and accompanied by a study ...

Physicists are closer than ever to answering fundamental questions about the origins of the universe by learning more about its tiniest particles. Scientists are intensifying research into neutrinos , mysterious particles that pass through matter almost unhindered. Key goals include studying how neutrinos change types and searching for previously unknown varieties, which could transform current understanding of physics . The Mystery of the Sterile Neutrino University of Cincinnati Professor Alexandre Sousa has detailed the next decade of global research into neutrinos, incredibly tiny particles that travel at nearly the speed of light and pass through virtually everything by the trillions each second. Neutrinos are the most abundant particles with mass in the universe, making them a key focus for scientists seeking to understand fundamental aspects of physics. These particles are produced in various processes, including nuclear fusion in the sun, radioactive decay in nuclear reactors...

MIT physicists propose a method to create fractionalized electrons known as non-Abelian anyons in two-dimensional materials, potentially advancing quantum computing by enabling more reliable quantum bits without using magnetic fields . MIT physicists have shown that it should be possible to create an exotic form of matter that could serve as the building blocks for future quantum computers. These quantum bits, or qubits, could make quantum computers even more powerful than those in development today. Their research builds on a recent discovery of materials where electrons can split into fractional parts  a phenomenon known as electron fractionalization. Crucially, this splitting happens without the need for a magnetic field, making the process more practical for real-world applications. Electron fractionalization was first discovered in 1982, earning a Nobel Prize, but the original process required applying a magnetic field . The ability to create fractionalized electrons without...

In the world of cutting-edge science and technology, few discoveries can be as transformative as those involving magnetic levitation. Recently, a breakthrough in this field has captured the attention of both scientists and industry professionals alike, signaling the potential for revolutionizing various technologies. Two years ago, an electronics engineer named Hamdi Ucar from Turkey stumbled upon a phenomenon that could change everything we know about magnetic levitation . While this discovery may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, it is, in fact, grounded in the principles of physics an achievement that could unlock new possibilities in industries ranging from robotics to transportation. Ucar’s experiments in magnetic levitation began with a simple setup: a magnet connected to a motor, placed in a precise position. When he brought a second magnet near the first, something extraordinary happened. The second magnet began to spin and levitate just a few centimeters ab...