Earth sabotages quantum tests

• Autores: Jacob Aron
• Localización: New scientist, ISSN 0262-4079, Nº. 3026, 2015, págs. 8-9
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Igor Pikovski of Harvard University and his colleagues have calculated what happens when one does quantum experiments in Earth's gravitational field. They say a quirk of relativity called time dilation could be making large systems lose their quantum nature. Pikovsk's calculations show that molecules placed in a superposition should also experience this time difference, and it can disrupt their quantum state. This happens because the bonds between atoms in a molecule act like springs and constantly vibrate. If a molecule is in a superposition of two states that are at different heights from the ground, each state will vibrate at a different rate, destroying the superposition.