quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics (QM – also known as quantum physics, or quantum theory) is a branch of physics which deals with physical phenomena at microscopic scales, where the action is on the order of the Planck constant. Quantum mechanics departs from classical mechanics primarily at the quantum realm of atomic and subatomic length scales. Quantum mechanics provides a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter.

For more information about quantum mechanics check the Wikipedia article here

ZME Science posts about quantum mechanics

Is there such a thing as unjammable radar? Quantum imaging radar seems so

Mon, Dec 17, 2012

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Detecting a potential threat before it occurs is the first step to preventing any aggression. In today’s wars, the scales favor the party that controls the air. Dominate the battle in the air, and you’ll dominate the battlefield ground side as well. It’s no secret to anyone that impressive aircraft detection systems have been developed [...]

Long standing physics mystery apparently solved: light behaves both as particle and wave

Fri, Nov 9, 2012

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Is light a wave, or is it made of particles? This question has puzzled since the dawn of modern physics, because somehow, light seemed to behave preferentially, depending on the situation – it was either a wave or a particle, but never both at the same time. This new quantum experiment seems to show that [...]

Scientists split an atom in two and then fuse it back together

Tue, Jun 5, 2012

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Atom = at·om, noun \ˈa-təm\, from the greek  ἄτομος (atomos) meaning “indivisible”. Apparently the atom isn’t that indivisible after all. Scientists at University of Bonn have managed to split an atom into two with a special laser, in special conditions, before merging it back together. Just like in the case of light, quantum mechanics allowed an atom to be split and then [...]

First-ever working quantum network lays foundation for the future’s quantum internet

Thu, Apr 12, 2012

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Quantum technology is the future, no doubt. The impact of computing devices based on quantum effects finally entering service would be vast and of immense positive consequence to the scientific world, and hence mankind, comparable with the invent of the microchip. While this future might still seem far fetched, judging from the number of successful [...]

Truly random numbers might be generated with quantum physics

Tue, Nov 29, 2011

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Does flicking a dice really render a random face? The answer would be no. The dice is governed by large-scale conventional physics and its motion, and thus final position can be determined. You can’t tell where it lands just by looking at it thwirl, of course, but the fact remains it’s not random, and neither [...]

Physicists use humans to detect quantum effects

Fri, Apr 29, 2011

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The quantum world is entirely different from what we see around us; it has its own laws, its own algebra, etc. It’s a really bizarre place, but that can yield wonderous developments as well. Since the quantum laws are so different, it’s hard to actually observe them, so instead, thought experiments are used. But for [...]

Shorties: Teleporting light could bring breakthrough in quantum computing

Tue, Apr 19, 2011

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The laws of quantum physics are strange, but they do allow some pretty awesome stuff, which wouldn’t otherwise be possible in our day to day life. Perhaps one of the most interesting developments they could bring come from the world of quantum computers. The fact that researchers have successfully teleported light without losing information could [...]

Michio Kaku explains why quantum mechanics proves humans have free will (shorties)

Tue, Apr 19, 2011

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Michio Kaku is one of the most respected researchers on the face of the planet, and he has been taking the time to answer intriguing questions from readers. This time, he addresses one of the most interesting and controversial things ever: free will; even more exactly, the link between quantum mechanics and free will. It’s [...]

First Universal Two-Qubit quantum processor created

Tue, Nov 17, 2009

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Physicists from NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) have demonstrated what they claim to be the first universal programmable quantum information processor that will be able to run any program allowed by quantum mechanics (the set of principles that describe the atomic and subatomic matter). They managed to accomplish this using two quantum bits [...]

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