Giant molecules show quantum effects: Appear in two places at once

Quantum mechanics demonstrates that it is possible but only recently could it be shown to be true in a molecule with 2000 atoms:





But it’s one thing to create an interference pattern with electrons. Doing it with giant molecules is a lot trickier. Bigger molecules have less-easily detected waves, because more massive objects have shorter wavelengths that can lead to barely-perceptible interference patterns. And these 2,000-atom particles have wavelengths smaller than the diameter of a single hydrogen atom, so their interference pattern is much less dramatic.

Rafi Letzter, “Giant Molecules Exist in Two Places at Once in Unprecedented Quantum Experiment” at Scientific American




Paper. (open access)





We’re told, no, it’s not Star Trek because people would be killed going through the interferometer.









See also: Sean Carroll: Physicists Don’t Even Want To Understand Quantum Mechanics





and





Theoretical Physicist: Recent Claim About Big Quantum Mechanics Find Is “Silly”





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Published on October 15, 2019 14:13
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