As a first step, the team of researchers has combined the membrane with a superconducting microwave circuit, which enables precise readouts from the membrane. That is, it has become “plugged in”, as required for virtually any application. With this development, the membrane can be connected to various other devices that process or transmit quantum information. [1]

Figure 1. A quantum drum that stores quantum states for record-long times

Figure 1 shows Since the temperature of the environment determines the magnitude of the random forces disturbing the membrane, it is imperative to reach a low enough temperature to prevent the quantum state of motion from being washed out. The researchers achieve this with a helium-based refrigerator. With the help of the microwave circuit, they can then control the quantum state of the membrane movement. In their most recent work, the researchers were able to prepare the membrane in the quantum ground state, meaning that its motion is dominated by quantum fluctuations. The quantum ground state corresponds to an effective temperature of 0.00005 degrees above absolute zero, which is −273.15 °C. [2]

Applications for the plugged in quantum membrane are many:

One may use a barely modified model of this technique that can really feel forces from each microwave and optical indicators to construct a quantum transducer from microwave to optics. Quantum data may be transported at room temperature in optical fibers on kilometers with out perturbations. On the opposite hand, the data is often processed inside a cooling unit, able to reaching sufficiently low temperatures for superconducting circuits just like the membrane to function. Connecting these two programs — superconducting circuits to optical fibers — may due to this fact allow the development of a quantum web: a number of quantum computer systems linked along with optical fibers. [3]

Gravity – crucial:

The role of gravity in the quantum regime is a yet unanswered, fundamental question in physics. This is yet another place where the high coherence time of the membranes demonstrated here may be applied for study. One hypothesis in this area is that gravity has the potential to destroy some quantum states with time. With a device as big as the membrane, such hypotheses may be tested in the future. [4]

References:

1. https://sciencesprings.wordpress.com/2022/05/28/from-the-niels-bohr-institute-niels-bohr-institutet-dk-a-quantum-drum-that-stores-quantum-states-for-record-long-times/
2. https://newsbeezer.com/malaysia/a-quantum-drum-that-stores-quantum-states-for-record-times-sciencedaily/
3. https://123hindinews.com/a-quantum-drum-that-stores-quantum-states-for-record-long-times-sciencedaily-more-breaking-news/
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220607120950.htm

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), A quantum drum that stores quantum states for record-long times, Anatechmaz, pp.41