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Physics & Mathematics 2. Quantum Physics Quantum 'yin-yang' shows two photons being entangled in real-time News By Ben Turner published 24 August 2023 The stunning experiment, which reconstructs the properties of entangled photons from a 2D interference pattern, could be used to design faster quantum computers. * * * * * * * Comments (4) A yin-yang-like shape made of pink and green dots shows two particles in a state of quantum entanglement The reconstruction of a holographic image of two entangled photons (Image credit: Nature Photonics, Zia et al.) Scientists have used a first-of-its-kind technique to visualize two entangled light particles in real time -- making them appear as a stunning quantum "yin-yang" symbol. The new method, called biphoton digital holography, uses an ultra high-precision camera and could be used to massively speed up future quantum measurements. The researchers published their findings Aug. 14 in the journal Nature Photonics. Related: Bizarre particle that can remember its own past created inside quantum computer Quantum entanglement -- the weird connection between two far-apart particles that Albert Einstein objected to as "spooky action at a distance" -- enables two light particles, or photons, to become inextricably bound to each other, so that a change to one causes a change in the other, no matter how far apart they are. To make accurate predictions about a quantum object, physicists need to find its wavefunction: a description of its state existing in a superposition of all the possible physical values a photon can take. Entanglement makes finding the wavefunction of two connected particles a challenge, as any measurement of one also causes an instantaneous change in the other. Photo (left to right): Dr. Alessio D'Errico, Dr. Ebrahim Karimi, and Nazanin Dehghan Photo (left to right): Dr. Alessio D'Errico, Dr. Ebrahim Karimi, and Nazanin Dehghan (Image credit: University of Ottowa) Physicists usually approach this hurdle through a method known as quantum tomography. By taking a complex quantum state and applying a projection to it, they measure some property belonging to that state, such as its polarization or momentum, in isolation from others. By repeating these measurements on multiple copies of the quantum state, physicists can build up a sense of the original from lower-dimensional slices -- like reconstructing the shape of a 3D object from the 2D shadows it casts on surrounding walls. related stories --Schrodinger's cat: The favorite, misunderstood pet of quantum mechanics --Otherworldly 'time crystal' made inside Google quantum computer could change physics forever --China claims fastest quantum computer in the world This process gives all the right information, but it also requires a lot of measurements and spits out plentiful "disallowed" states that don't follow the laws of physics to boot. This leaves scientists with the onerous task of painstakingly weeding out nonsensical, unphysical states, an effort that can take hours or even days depending on a system's complexity. To get around this, the researchers used holography to encode information from higher dimensions into manageable, lower-dimensional chunks. Optical holograms use two light beams to create a 3D image: one beam hits the object and bounces off of it, while the other shines on a recording medium. The hologram forms from the pattern of light interference, or the pattern in which the peaks and troughs of the two light waves add up or cancel each other out. The physicists used a similar method to capture an image of the entangled photon state through the interference pattern they made with another known state. Then, by capturing the resulting image with a nanosecond precise camera, the researchers teased apart the interference pattern they received -- revealing a stunning yin-yang image of the two entangled photons. "This method is exponentially faster than previous techniques, requiring only minutes or seconds instead of days," study co-author Alessio D'Errico, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said in a statement. Live Science newsletter Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter. [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Ben Turner Ben Turner Social Links Navigation Staff Writer Ben Turner is a U.K. based staff writer at Live Science. He covers physics and astronomy, among other topics like tech and climate change. He graduated from University College London with a degree in particle physics before training as a journalist. When he's not writing, Ben enjoys reading literature, playing the guitar and embarrassing himself with chess. More about quantum physics A black and white photograph of Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac. He has short dark hair, a moustache and is wearing a pin-striped suit. He is sitting down in a comfy chair, holding a book open in his lap. 'The most magical equation in physics': How Paul Dirac accidentally revealed the strange world of antimatter A telescope image of warped yellow starlight forming a smily face against a black background Distortions in space-time could put Einstein's theory of relativity to the ultimate test Latest An illustration of a bright black hole at the center of a galaxy, surrounded by a dusty ring of rubble A black hole 'assassin' ripped a star to shreds and left its guts strewn about the galaxy See more latest > See all comments (4) [ ] 4 Comments Comment from the forums * Shrike Very cool, but this will be fodder for new ageists attempting to link quantum mechanics to eastern philosophy / religion. Reply * Cactusy Shrike said: Very cool, but this will be fodder for new ageists attempting to link quantum mechanics to eastern philosophy / religion. You know there are some parallels in ancient writings, but rather than a new age over science thing, it could be distant future scientists found a way to retro-causally induce awareness in ancient eastern writers! ;) Reply * shirowhite looks FAF. if it's not reproducible, i'd day this is either a bogus study or someone inserted this drawn image intentionally, probably AI generated. chances of enablement somehow being a yinyang symbol are too convenient Reply * DffrntDrmmr Shrike said: Very cool, but this will be fodder for new ageists attempting to link quantum mechanics to eastern philosophy / religion. "The Tao of Physics" is a best-selling book by Fritjof Capra that explores the parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism. The book has been translated into 23 languages and is considered a foundational text on the connections between quantum theory and the ideas of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. 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