Quantum chaos, previously theoretical, has been observed experimentally, validating a 40-year-old theory about electrons forming patterns in confined spaces.
Using advanced imaging techniques on graphene, researchers confirmed “quantum scars,” where electrons follow unique closed orbits. These findings could revolutionize electronics by enabling efficient, low-power transistors and paving the way for novel quantum control methods. This discovery offers insights into chaotic quantum systems, bridging a gap between classical and quantum physics.
Where can patterns emerge from chaos? This question has been answered in the incredibly tiny quantum realm by an international research team co-led by UC Santa Cruz physicist Jairo Velasco, Jr. In a study published on November 27 in Nature, the researchers confirmed a 40-year-old theory suggesting that electrons confined within quantum spaces follow predictable paths rather than creating a random jumble of trajectories.
Electrons are unique because they exhibit both particle and wave-like properties. Unlike a ball rolling predictably, their behavior is often counterintuitive. Under specific conditions, the wave-like nature of electrons can cause interference, concentrating their movement into distinct patterns. Physicists refer to these common paths as “unique closed orbits.”
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