Quantum ‘yin-yang’ shows two photons being entangled in real-time
Scientists have used a first-of-its-kind technique to visualize two entangled light particles in real time — making them appear as a stunning quantum “yin-yang” symbol.
The new method, called biphoton digital holography, uses an ultra high-precision camera and could be used to massively speed up future quantum measurements.
The researchers published their findings Aug. 14 in the journal Nature Photonics.
Quantum entanglement — the weird connection between two far-apart particles that Albert Einstein objected to as “spooky action at a distance” — enables two light particles, or photons, to become inextricably bound to each other, so that a change to one causes a change in the other, no matter how far apart they are.
To make accurate predictions about a quantum object, physicists need to find its wavefunction: a description of its state existing in a superposition of all the possible physical values a photon can take. Entanglement makes finding the wavefunction of two connected particles a challenge, as any measurement of one also causes an instantaneous change in the other. [Continue reading…]