Category archives: Quantum physics

High temperatures and strong random interactions need not destroy many-body quantum entanglement

High temperatures and strong random interactions need not destroy many-body quantum entanglement

Condensed matterQuantum physics

By DIPC

One of the most mysterious features of quantum mechanics is that if two particles (or photons) interact at some point in time then the properties of these particles will remain connected at future times. A consequence of this is that determining the quantum state of one of the particles simultaneously determines the quantum state of […]

The magnetism of triangulene

The magnetism of triangulene

MaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physics

By DIPC

Graphene is a diamagnetic material, this is, unable of becoming magnetic. However, a triangular piece of graphene is predicted to be magnetic. This apparent contradiction is a consequence of “magic” shapes in the structure of graphene flakes, which force electrons to “spin” more easily in one direction. Triangulene is a triangular graphene flake, which possesses […]

Second-harmonic generation in a quantum emitter – metallic nanoparticle hybrid

Second-harmonic generation in a quantum emitter – metallic nanoparticle hybrid

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physicsTheoretical physics

By DIPC

When two photons with the same energy interact with a nonlinear material, they “combine” and generate a new photon with twice the energy of the initial photons. More precisely, two photons at the fundamental frequency are absorbed by a plasmonic structure to emit one photon at the second-harmonic frequency. This is called second-harmonic generation. Second-harmonic […]

How chirality information can transfer over long distances

How chirality information can transfer over long distances

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physics

By DIPC

Usually, optical activity is understood as the ability some substances have to change the handedness of polarized light when it goes through them. Molecules that show optical activity have no plane of symmetry. The commonest case of this is in organic compounds in which a carbon atom is linked to four different groups. An atom […]

Metal atoms enhance quantum dot coupling in metal-organic nanoporous networks

Metal atoms enhance quantum dot coupling in metal-organic nanoporous networks

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

A quantum dot (QD) is a nanometric crystalline structure of semiconductor materials. In a QD electrons are confined in a region of space, thus creating a well defined structure of energy levels that depends very much on the size and shape of the quantum dot. This structure resembles that of atoms, that is why sometimes […]

Quantum atomic fluctuations stabilize the crystal responsible for superconductivity at 250 K

Quantum atomic fluctuations stabilize the crystal responsible for superconductivity at 250 K

Condensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Achieving room temperature superconductivity is among the most pursued but elusive goals of scientists. I n December 2014 researchers claimed to have observed superconductivity as high as 200 K in hydrogen sulfide at high pressure, breaking all the records thus far. This meant that cuprates could be knocked from their position as the highest temperature […]

A local quantum emitter can be used to sense the environment of a molecule with the minimal quantum of energy

A local quantum emitter can be used to sense the environment of a molecule with the minimal quantum of energy

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physicsTheoretical physics

By DIPC

Plasmonic nanostructures confine light to dimensions far smaller than the free-space wavelength, as they mix optical fields with electronic excitations. It was not until the 1990s, with the appearance of accurate and reliable nanofabrication techniques, that plasmonics blossomed. It was found then that local fields around nanostructures could be directly measured by near-field scanning optical […]

First ever antiferromagnetic topological insulator discovered

First ever antiferromagnetic topological insulator discovered

Condensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Topological insulators are materials with special universal properties, which are protected against perturbations. Such properties are theoretically described by topology, a branch of mathematics concerned with the properties of geometrical objects that are unchanged by continuous deformations. Topological insulators are electronic materials that have a bulk band gap like an ordinary insulator but have conducting […]

Next generation nanoprobes for the microspectroscopic study of biosystems

Next generation nanoprobes for the microspectroscopic study of biosystems

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physics

By DIPC

Nonlinear processes are attractive in microscopy and spectroscopy since they can be excited with light in the near‐infrared, which offers several advantages, from a deep tissue penetration capability or a reduced photodamage due to the lower photon energy, to a spatially more confined probed volume, which can result in an improved lateral resolution. These processes […]