Quantum entanglement is an aspect of quantum physics that has big applications for cutting-edge technologies like computing and communications. In physics, two particles are said to be entangled when it isn’t possible to describe one without including all information about the other. An analogy would be rolling dice at the same time with a person far away, where the results of the rolls are connected. Scientists at the Structured Light Laboratory in South Africa use photons (light particles) to better understand quantum entanglement. It’s a difficult process that involves laser beams and a lot of wasted energy. Fortunately, researchers have calculated an optimal laser shape that helps improve the efficiency of the procedure. This will ultimately help optimize the efficiency of quantum technologies.
Key Takeaways:
- Two particles are entangled when one particle cannot be described without fully understanding the other.
- In the Structured Light Laboratory in South Africa, researchers use photons (light particles) to observe quantum effects.
- By calculating the optimal laser shape, we have improved the efficiency of entanglement creation and manipulation.
“The processes used to create entangled photons in a real laboratory are constrained by many experimental variables.”
