How ultracold, superdense atoms become invisible
An atom's electrons are arranged in energy shells. Like concertgoers in an arena, each electron occupies a single chair and cannot drop to a lower tier if all its chairs are occupied. This fundamental property of atomic physics is known as the Pauli.....»»
A fullerene-like molecule made entirely of metal atoms
A small team of chemists from Nankai University, Nanjing Tech University and Shanxi University, all in China, working with a colleague from Universidad San Sebastián, in Chile, has, for the first time, created a fullerene-like molecule made entirely.....»»
Limits for quantum computers: Perfect clocks are impossible, research finds
There are different ideas about how quantum computers could be built. But they all have one thing in common: you use a quantum physical system—for example, individual atoms—and change their state by exposing them to very specific forces for a spe.....»»
To study radioactive neptunium and plutonium, researchers establish a novel chemistry
Oxidation is the process where atoms lose electrons during a chemical reaction. Among the radioactive elements, neptunium and plutonium are much harder to oxidize than uranium......»»
Scientists set the stage for quantum chemistry in space on NASA"s cold atom lab
For the first time in space, scientists have produced a mixture of two quantum gases made of two types of atoms. Accomplished with NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory aboard the International Space Station, the achievement marks another step toward bringing.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of spin with high-harmonic probes
Deep within every piece of magnetic material, electrons dance to the invisible tune of quantum mechanics. Their spins, akin to tiny atomic tops, dictate the magnetic behavior of the material they inhabit. This microscopic ballet is the cornerstone of.....»»
Study leverages chiral phonons for transformative quantum effect
Quantum materials hold the key to a future of lightning-speed, energy-efficient information systems. The problem with tapping their transformative potential is that in solids, the vast number of atoms often drowns out the exotic quantum properties el.....»»
Presence of atomic oxygen confirmed on both day and night sides of Venus
A multi-institutional team of astrophysicists from Germany has made the first direct observation of oxygen atoms in the day side atmosphere of Venus. In their project, reported in the journal Nature Communications, the group studied data from the Str.....»»
"Air-pocalypse": Indian capital launches "Green War Room"
The enemy is nearly invisible and there are no soldiers, but the Indian capital's new "Green War Room" is battling air pollution that is cutting lives of residents by over a decade......»»
Singles become pairs: New insights into the light scattering of atoms
Researchers headed by Jürgen Volz and Arno Rauschenbeutel from the Department of Physics at the Humboldt University of Berlin, partners of the DAALI project, have gained new insights into the scattering of light by a fluorescent atom, which could al.....»»
Interacting polarons: Physicists simulate interacting quasiparticles in ultracold quantum gas
An electron moving through a solid generates a polarization in its environment due to its electric charge. In his theoretical considerations, the Russian physicist Lev Landau extended the description of such particles by their interaction with the en.....»»
Ultrafast X-ray pulses force atoms to give up their electronic secrets
A new spectroscopy technique developed by RIKEN researchers could help reveal the inner workings of metal catalysts and the proteins involved in photosynthesis in plants......»»
Atom Computing is the first to announce a 1,000+ qubit quantum computer
A startup company has upped its qubit count by an order of magnitude in two years. Enlarge / The qubits of the new hardware: an array of individual atoms. (credit: Atom Computing) Today, a startup called Atom Computing a.....»»
Electron-rich metals make ceramics tough to crack
Researchers have discovered a way to make ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. By building these materials using a blend of metal atoms possessing more electrons in their outer shell, a team led by engineers at the University of Californi.....»»
Nondestructive measurement realized in ytterbium qubits, aiding scalable neutral atom quantum computing
Atoms of the metal ytterbium-171 may be the closest things in nature to perfect qubits. A recent study shows how to use them for repeated quantum measurements and qubit rotations, which may aid in the development of scalable quantum computing......»»
Harnessing molecular power: Electricity generation on the nanoscale
Wave energy technology is a proven source of power generation, but there is power inherent in every molecule of liquid on Earth, even when the liquid is at rest. At the molecular scale, atoms and ions are always moving. If this nanoscale movement can.....»»
Quantum Physics Isn"t as Weird as You Think. It"s Weirder
Quantum physics’ oddities seem less surprising if you stop thinking of atoms as tennis balls, and instead more like waves pushing through water.....»»
The Earth"s iron core isn"t just a solid mass
A new study by physicists discovers that the Earth's dense inner core is made up of constantly switching iron atoms. According to a new "holy grail" scientific discovery, the blazing-hot ball of metal at the center of the Earth's core is actual.....»»
Discovery of invisible nutrient discharge on Great Barrier Reef raises concerns
Scientists using natural tracers off Queensland's coast have discovered the source of previously unquantified nitrogen and phosphorous that are having a profound environmental impact on the Great Barrier Reef......»»
Researchers catch protons in the act of dissociation with ultrafast "electron camera"
Scientists have caught fast-moving hydrogen atoms—the keys to countless biological and chemical reactions—in action......»»
Trio wins Nobel Prize in chemistry for work on quantum dots, used in electronics and medical imaging
Three scientists based in the U.S. won the Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their work on quantum dots—tiny particles just a few atoms in diameter that can release very bright colored light and whose applications in every day life include ele.....»»