Particles that are entangled with one another are said to be in a state of quantum entanglement. Even though they are not physically near to one another, the characteristics of one particle affect the other in this entangled state.
Researchers can store and process quantum information using this phenomenon, which has frequently been seen in small quantum systems with few particles. Qimiao Si, a professor, is interested in comprehending and utilizing quantum entanglement in macroscopic systems with enormous particle counts.
“In this theory, by placing matter in a small mirrored cavity and pushing it towards what is called the quantum critical point, we can then introduce photons and induce quantum entanglement in the photon-matter hybrid,” said Si, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Extreme Quantum Materials Alliance.
These cavity photon–matter hybrids have long been difficult to realize. Theoretical studies have suggested that hybridization requires exceptionally strong light–matter interactions, making such systems challenging to engineer. However, this new theory indicates that placing the material near its quantum critical point could lower the threshold required to enter the hybrid entangled state.
You can think of the quantum critical point as the point in which a material can ‘choose’ between two different quantum phases. The material is in one phase. Only by reaching the quantum critical point can it transition into the second phase.
Yiming Wang, Graduate Student and Co-First Author, Rice University
According to this new idea, scientists could use nonthermal techniques to increase the entanglement of light and matter by forcing matter to be close to a quantum critical point. The material is pushed toward the quantum critical point using nonthermal techniques like pressure or substituting one chemical component for another.
To read more, click here.