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In a new study published in Physical Review D, Professor Ginestra Bianconi, Professor of Applied Mathematics at Queen Mary University of London, proposes a new framework that could revolutionize our understanding of gravity and its relationship with quantum mechanics.

The study, titled “Gravity from Entropy,” introduces a novel approach that derives from quantum relative entropy, bridging the gap between two of the most fundamental yet seemingly incompatible theories in physics: and Einstein’s general relativity.

Deep within certain magnetic molecules, atoms arrange their spins in a spiral pattern, forming structures called chiral helimagnets. These helical spin patterns have intrigued researchers for years due to their potential for powering next-generation electronics. But decoding their properties has remained a mystery—until now.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a to accurately model and predict these complex spin structures using quantum mechanics calculations. Their work was published on Feb. 19 in Advanced Functional Materials.

“The helical spin structures in two-dimensional layered materials have been experimentally observed for over 40 years. It has been a longstanding challenge to predict them with precision,” said Kesong Yang, professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and senior author of the study. “The helical period in the layered compound extends up to 48 nanometers, making it extremely difficult to accurately calculate all the electron and spin interactions at this scale.”

In the quest for ultra-secure, long-range quantum communication, two major challenges stand in the way: the unpredictable nature of atmospheric turbulence and the limitations of current optical wavefront correction techniques. Researchers at the University of Ottawa, under the supervision of Professor Ebrahim Karimi, the director of Nexus for Quantum Technologies, in collaboration with the National Research Council Canada (NRC) and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (Germany), have made significant advances in overcoming both obstacles.

Their two latest breakthroughs—an AI-powered forecasting tool called TAROQQO and a high-speed Adaptive Optics (AO) system for correcting turbulence in quantum channels—represent a turning point in developing free-space quantum networks.

These advancements, published in Optics Express and Communication Physics, offer complementary solutions to the fundamental issue of atmospheric turbulence that distorts and diminishes photonic quantum states as they traverse through the air.

American quantum computing startup PsiQuantum announced last week that it has cracked a significant puzzle on the road to making the technology useful: manufacturing quantum chips in large quantities.

PsiQuantum burst out of stealth mode in 2021 with a blockbuster funding announcement. It followed up with two more last year.

The company uses so-called “photonic” quantum computing, which has long been dismissed as impractical.

Check out my introduction to quantum mechanics course on Brilliant! First 30 days are free and 20% off the annual premium subscription when you use our link ➜ https://brilliant.org/sabine.

Two weeks ago, Microsoft made a big splash in the media by claiming that they’d found a way to build a scalable quantum computing platform which could reach one million qubits in a short period of time. They claimed this was possible with the help of a type of topological qubit called Majorana states. But it appears there are several… issues with the company’s published research. I have a quick summary.

The video with the comments from Sergey and Vincent is a one hour long discussion which you can watch in full here: • Majorana Fireside Chat: HOW CLOSE ARE…

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In the annals of scientific inquiry, few endeavors have been as audacious as the attempt to bridge the chasm between the tangible and the intangible, the empirical and the experiential. The declassification of the 1983 U.S. Army Intelligence report, “Analysis and Assessment of The Gateway Process,” offers a compelling case study in this regard. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M. McDonnell, the report delves into altered states of consciousness, suggesting that human consciousness may transcend the physical plane, potentially supporting concepts akin to reincarnation. This proposition invites us to explore the intersection of infodynamics — the study of information dynamics within physical systems — and phenomena traditionally deemed spiritual, under the premise that all such phenomena are rooted in the natural order.

At the heart of this exploration lies the principle that information, much like energy, is conserved within the universe. This concept is reminiscent of the first law of thermodynamics, which asserts that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In the realm of information theory, this translates to the idea that information persists, undergoing transformations but never facing annihilation. This perspective aligns with the notion that consciousness, as a form of information, may continue beyond the cessation of its current physical embodiment.

Quantum mechanics further enriches this discourse. The phenomenon of quantum entanglement, wherein particles become interconnected in such a way that the state of one instantaneously influences the state of another, regardless of the spatial separation, challenges our classical understanding of locality and separability. This non-locality suggests a deeply interconnected fabric of reality, where information is not confined to a singular point in space or time. Such a framework provides a plausible basis for understanding how consciousness, as an informational construct, could transcend individual physical forms, offering a naturalistic foundation for phenomena like reincarnation.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Thursday announced Ocelot, its first-generation quantum computing chip, as it enters the race against fellow tech giants in harnessing the experimental technology.

Developed by the AWS Center for Quantum Computing at the California Institute of Technology, the new chip can reduce the costs of implementing quantum error correction by up to 90%, according to the company.

When molecules collide with surfaces, they exchange energy with the surface atoms. This complex process is influenced by quantum interference, where different pathways overlap, creating patterns where some paths enhance each other while others cancel out. This affects how molecules exchange energy and react with surfaces.

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Observing quantum interference in collisions with heavier molecules like methane (CH4) was challenging due to the many possible pathways. Scientists wondered if quantum effects would disappear, making classical physics enough to describe these processes.

This review discusses the development and uses of imatinib mesylate, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor useful in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Imatinib targets platelet-derived growth factor receptor, inhibits the fusion product of the Philadelphia chromosome, and targets c-kit, a protein tyrosine kinase. The drug may also be effective in the treatment of other tumors that express platelet-derived growth factor receptor or c-kit.