Physicists recorded quantum jumps in a massive mechanical object
- Physicists have recorded quantum jumps in a large mechanical object for the first time.
- The experiment combined a phonon crystal and a superconducting qubit.
- Measurements were conducted through the verification of the parity of the number of phonons
- The results were published in the journal Science
In a recent experiment, an international team of physicists was able to capture quantum jumps in a massive mechanical object, marking the first confirmation of theoretical predictions about discrete energy transitions in macroscopic systems.
From theory to practice
The concept of a quantum jump emerged in the early 20th century when scientists realized that microscopic particles could transition between energy levels without intermediate states. Until recent years, such phenomena were only observed in atoms, ions, and individual quantum bits, but their manifestation in a larger object remained elusive.
To create a suitable platform, researchers used a phonon crystal – an artificially constructed structure capable of directing and controlling sound vibrations (phonons) on a nanometer scale. This lattice provided high isolation of the mechanical resonant part from external noise.
The key element of the experiment was a superconducting qubit operating at temperatures below 20 mK. The qubit was integrated directly with a phonon crystal, allowing for the transfer of quantum states between the electrical and mechanical subsystems.
Measurement technique
To register transitions, the scientists used parity checking of the number of phonons – a special method that allows determining whether the number of vibrational quanta in the system is even or odd without measuring them directly. A series of rapid measurements were conducted using the qubit, after which the obtained data showed sharp changes in parity corresponding to quantum jumps.
The obtained signals demonstrate that the mechanical resonator transitions between discrete energy levels, similar to what occurs in atomic systems. These transitions were observed in real time, confirming the possibility of controlling macroscopic quantum states.
The success of the experiment opens new prospects for the development of hybrid quantum devices, where mechanical elements can serve as long-term quantum memories or signal converters between different types of quantum systems.
The research results were presented in the leading scientific journal Science, where they received wide recognition in the physics community. The authors plan to further improve measurement sensitivity and scale up the experiment, which could lead to practical applications of quantum leaps in future technologies.
Source: N+1
