Researchers at JILA, a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder, have developed a new quantum sensor that combines two of the most “spooky” aspects of quantum mechanics – entanglement and delocalization. Entanglement is a phenomenon where particles become interconnected and the state of one instantly influences the state of another, regardless of distance. Delocalization allows particles to exist in multiple places simultaneously.
The new matter-wave interferometer uses both entanglement and delocalization to achieve unprecedented precision in sensing accelerations, surpassing the standard quantum limit. This breakthrough could lead to more advanced quantum sensors with applications in navigation, resource exploration, fundamental constant measurements, dark matter detection, and gravitational wave research.
The research, published in Nature, demonstrates the potential of combining quantum mechanical phenomena to create more powerful sensing technologies. This work represents a significant step forward in harnessing the full capabilities of quantum mechanics for practical applications.
Keywords: interferometer, entanglement, delocalization, quantum sensors, matter-wave
