When I think of the term “quantum physics,” I think of Brian Greene’s NOVA specialthat described a world in which the laws of physics that we know don’t apply, where one thing can be in two places at once and where, theoretically, if you punched a wall for infinity, one time your hand would go through the wall.And then I think of string theory, which is what physicists dream of being the unifying theory of the universe, and once you start thinking of string theory it’s all “eleven dimensions” and “bubble universes” and “time travel” and “oh god, why can’t Doctor Who be real?!”
But I digress.
I recently got the privilege to listen to a theoretical physicist, Steven van Enk, talk about quantum mechanics, and how it’s actually completely relatable to everyday life.
Quantum physics describes the behavior of the very, very small. We all know Newtonian, or classical, physics (like the behavior of billiard balls), but at a certain point, as we move past molecules and atoms into electrons and photons (light particles), those laws of physics that we know and love no longer apply.
This world, this tiny, tiny world, does not operate in the same way a pool table does, where balls collide and bounce off each other in a predictable way. In fact, a quantum particle, like a photon or an electron, can’t even be measured. These are particles that do not have velocity and position at the same time. Like Schrödinger’s Cat, you can only define the state of the particle by measuring it; however, through the process of measuring it, you’ve now changed its properties.
Most research going into quantum mechanics today is working towards the goal of building the fastest, most efficient computer we know of: a quantum computer. Quantum computers can break unbreakable codes and do things that classical computers can’t, like do multiple calculations at once, using a complicated principle called entanglement.
“The steps we do to solve these problems – nature can do this [already],” van Enk said.
But I digress.
I recently got the privilege to listen to a theoretical physicist, Steven van Enk, talk about quantum mechanics, and how it’s actually completely relatable to everyday life.
Quantum physics describes the behavior of the very, very small. We all know Newtonian, or classical, physics (like the behavior of billiard balls), but at a certain point, as we move past molecules and atoms into electrons and photons (light particles), those laws of physics that we know and love no longer apply.
This world, this tiny, tiny world, does not operate in the same way a pool table does, where balls collide and bounce off each other in a predictable way. In fact, a quantum particle, like a photon or an electron, can’t even be measured. These are particles that do not have velocity and position at the same time. Like Schrödinger’s Cat, you can only define the state of the particle by measuring it; however, through the process of measuring it, you’ve now changed its properties.
Most research going into quantum mechanics today is working towards the goal of building the fastest, most efficient computer we know of: a quantum computer. Quantum computers can break unbreakable codes and do things that classical computers can’t, like do multiple calculations at once, using a complicated principle called entanglement.
“The steps we do to solve these problems – nature can do this [already],” van Enk said.
By exploiting what nature does on its own, quantum computers will become immensely powerful.Van Enk’s research is centered around entanglement. This is one of those concepts that can’t be described in layman’s terms, because that definition would be incorrect. The way that van Enk puts it, if you think about entanglement with regards to classical, Newtonian physics, it goes like this: when two particles are entangled, no matter how far apart they are from each other, if something happens to one particle, the same thing will happen to the other particle.
Except that it’s not like that at all. But if it makes you feel better, you can think about it like that.
Having fun yet?
One application of quantum mechanics is already being used today: quantum cryptography. This is a process that also employs the principles of entanglement that allows for the securest communication possible. Quantum crytpography involves encrypting a message on a quantum system, like a photon, and shooting that photon through a wire to the receiver, who decodes the message. This process is so secure because when you measure a quantum system, you’ve changed the system itself. If the message that arrives is different than the message sent, you know the message has been tampered with. This system is already being used by banks all over the world, from New York to Switzerland.
As far as van Enk knows, a real-life quantum computer is still 20 years away. It’s been 20 years away for a long time, and in 20 years, it’ll probably still be 20 years away. Computer transistors are getting smaller every year, and one day they’ll be so small that classical physics no longer applies. In a decade, the parts of a computer could be as small as one atom, and that’s where quantum mechanics comes into play.
It’s more than just parallel universes and tiny, vibrating strings. Quantum mechanics is the physics of the future.
Except that it’s not like that at all. But if it makes you feel better, you can think about it like that.
Having fun yet?
One application of quantum mechanics is already being used today: quantum cryptography. This is a process that also employs the principles of entanglement that allows for the securest communication possible. Quantum crytpography involves encrypting a message on a quantum system, like a photon, and shooting that photon through a wire to the receiver, who decodes the message. This process is so secure because when you measure a quantum system, you’ve changed the system itself. If the message that arrives is different than the message sent, you know the message has been tampered with. This system is already being used by banks all over the world, from New York to Switzerland.
As far as van Enk knows, a real-life quantum computer is still 20 years away. It’s been 20 years away for a long time, and in 20 years, it’ll probably still be 20 years away. Computer transistors are getting smaller every year, and one day they’ll be so small that classical physics no longer applies. In a decade, the parts of a computer could be as small as one atom, and that’s where quantum mechanics comes into play.
It’s more than just parallel universes and tiny, vibrating strings. Quantum mechanics is the physics of the future.
