University of Florida Experiment Corrects Prediction in Quantum Theory
September 21st, 2012 by gainesvillechamberUniversity of Florida scientists have made a remarkable discovery in the field of quantum physics that resulted in rewriting a page from the quantum physics rulebook. The discovery that was published in the September 20 edition of Nature describes how a freeze-frame approach was used to overturn an old rule that had been preached in the quantum theory.
In a University of Florida press release, it goes into detail about the freeze-frame approach:
“Much of what we know about quantum mechanics is theoretical and tested via computer modeling because quantum systems, like electrons whizzing around the nucleus of an atom, are difficult to pin down for observation. One can, however, slow particles down and catch them in thequantum act by subjecting them to extremely cold temperatures”
UF physics professor and director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory High B/T Facility at UF, Neil Sullivan, said, “We are in the age of quantum mechanics.If you’ve had an MRI, you have made use of a quantum technology.”
The facility is home of the Microkelvin lab where experiments that require near-absolute zero temperatures can be conducted. To explain the extreme cold conditions that need to be in place to conduct the experiments, Sullivan compared different ranges of temperatures in based on the Kelvin scale. A room temperature is approximately at 300 kelvin, a rocket at the Kennedy Space Center is pumped liquid hydrogen at 20 kelvin and the temperature that is needed to explore the quantum properties realm would have to be cooled down to 1 millikelvin or -459.67 degrees Fahrnheit.
To read more about their discovery, click here
