Twisted 'Screws of Light' Set World Records
The research team around Anton Zeilinger has succeeded in breaking two novel records while experimenting with so-called twisted particles of light. In one experiment, the scientists could show that the twist of light itself, i.e. the screw-like structure, is maintained over a free-space propagation of 143 kilometers, which could revolutionize future data transmission.
Camera image of a laser beam in false color, which consists of photons in a superposition with quantum numbers between +10,000 and -10,000. After zooming in twice, the enormous complexity of the structure can be revealed.
Twisted light
Time and again, properties of the light surprise the research world. For example, light can be brought into a corkscrew-like form in order to produce so-called “screws of light”, as Anton Zeilinger, quantum physicist at the University of Vienna, describes. The amazing fact is that one can in principle impose any number of windings on each individual light particle – called photons. The larger the number of windings, the larger the so-called quantum number with which the photon is described.
Screw of light on the 143 km long way between the canary islands of La Palma and Tenerife.
Credit: Copyright: University Vienna
In principle, twisted light can carry an arbitrary large amount of information per photon. This is in contrast to the polarization of light, which is limited to one bit per photon. For example, data rates of up to 100 terabits per second, which correspond to about 120 Blu-Ray discs per second, have already been achieved under laboratory conditions. The transmission under realistic conditions, however, is still in its infancy. In addition to transmission over short distances in special fiber optics, transmission of such light beams over free space, required for instance for satellite communication, was limited to three kilometers so far; achieved by the same Viennese team two years ago
Quantum entanglement with 5-digits quantum numbers
Together with the research group of Ping Koy Lam in Canberra, Australia, the Viennese group of Anton Zeilinger also investigated how strongly single photons can be twisted into the screw-like structure without losing distinct quantum features. In other words, does quantum physics still hold in the limit of large quantum numbers or is classical physics and everyday experience taking over again?
Credit: NewJournalofPhysics
At first, the Viennese researchers generated entangled photon pairs, i.e. two particles of light that are seemingly connected despite being separated by an arbitrary distance. Entanglement is the distinct phenomena in quantum physics, which Einstein described as “spooky action at a distance”. After completion of this initial step, the researchers then twisted one of the photons with the Australian mirrors without destroying the entanglement, thus demonstrating that quantum physics even holds if 5-digit quantum numbers are entangled.
Image of the screw of light on the wall of the Optical Ground Station telescope of the ESA in Tenerife, Canary Island, after being transmitted over more than 100 km. The ring-like structure, a signature of screws of light, is still clearly visible.
Credit: Copyright: University Vienna
Hence, in both studies the researchers set up novel records with “screws of light” to investigate foundational questions as well as pave the way to possible future technologies.
The research was funded by the European Research Council (ERC), the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science, Research and Economics (BMFWF) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Contacts and sources:
University of Vienna
Citations:
Mario Krenn, Johannes Handsteiner, Matthias Fink, Robert Fickler, Rupert Ursin, Mehul Malik, Anton Zeilinger “Twisted Light Transmission over 143 kilometers”: https://arxiv.org/abs/1606.01811
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1612023113
Robert Fickler, Geoff T. Campbell, Ben C. Buchler, Ping Koy Lam, Anton Zeilinger “Quantum entanglement of angular momentum states with quantum numbers up to 10010″: https://arxiv.org/abs/1607.00922
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1616889113
Source: http://www.ineffableisland.com/2016/12/twisted-screws-of-light-set-world.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).