Latest news with #AlbertEinstein
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bizarre Quantum Universe
In 2022 three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for proving something astonishing: the universe is not locally real. In other words, particles don't have fixed properties until they are measured. Although it seems to counter everything we perceive, the discovery was established by some of the most rigorous experiments ever conducted, and it aligns with a prediction Albert Einstein and his colleagues made almost 100 years ago: that particles strangely influence one another, even across vast distances. Today quantum strangeness is no longer confined to theory. Researchers are entangling objects large enough to see, quantum computers are on the cusp of solving problems no classical machine can touch, and speculative ideas such as vacuum decay and alternative realities are serious science. The quantum era has arrived. Bizarre quantum dynamics underpin our view of reality: Time travels forward for us, but in the quantum world, it may flow in two directions. Gravity itself may follow quantum rules. Quantum mechanics supports the possibility of alternative universes, but even if they exist, we can't access them (and probably shouldn't anyway). Some physicists argue that quantum rules dictate that everything in the universe is preordained, making free will an illusion, so we might as well accept our current reality. These insights are fueling tremendous scientific innovation. The strongest force in nature, which binds together quarks inside protons and neutrons, may be dictated by quantum interactions. Scientists have found that electrons swarm in a soup of quantum entanglement in a recently discovered class of materials called strange metals. An experiment housed deep underground in a Sardinian mine is designed to determine the weight of empty space—yes, it weighs something—and thereby isolate particles predicted by quantum field theory. To better understand the most inexplicable behavior of quantum particles, physicists have created lattices out of light waves that simulate solid materials. [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] If many universes exist, the stars and planets that were able to form in ours could be the best evidence for them. But even how matter exists in the first place is a mystery to physicists. The universe seems stable, but an unlikely shift in the Higgs field, a quantum field that pervades all of space, could trigger a bubble that passes through the universe, annihilating all matter. Perhaps the most tangible application of quantum discovery is in computing. The key to quantum computing is the qubit, and it promises to make electronic machines obsolete. In a type of computing arms race, researchers are trying to build systems that can withstand the might of future quantum-armed hackers. Despite the hype and parade of press announcements from big tech, however, so far no company has achieved 'quantum advantage'—that is, a quantum computer able to solve a problem no classical computer can. For corporeal creatures such as humans, grappling with a universe that might not be singular, time that moves in many directions, and matter that both does and does not exist is mind-bending, to say the least. Two giants in early quantum theory, Werner Heisenberg and John Bell, speculated that because we perceive as we do, the mind, in a sense, defines quantum interactions. Its implications are cosmic, but the quantum realm is definitively a human one.
Scientific American
15 hours ago
- General
- Scientific American
Bizarre Quantum Universe
In 2022 three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physics for proving something astonishing: the universe is not locally real. In other words, particles don't have fixed properties until they are measured. Although it seems to counter everything we perceive, the discovery was established by some of the most rigorous experiments ever conducted, and it aligns with a prediction Albert Einstein and his colleagues made almost 100 years ago: that particles strangely influence one another, even across vast distances. Today quantum strangeness is no longer confined to theory. Researchers are entangling objects large enough to see, quantum computers are on the cusp of solving problems no classical machine can touch, and speculative ideas such as vacuum decay and alternative realities are serious science. The quantum era has arrived. Bizarre quantum dynamics underpin our view of reality: Time travels forward for us, but in the quantum world, it may flow in two directions. Gravity itself may follow quantum rules. Quantum mechanics supports the possibility of alternative universes, but even if they exist, we can't access them (and probably shouldn't anyway). Some physicists argue that quantum rules dictate that everything in the universe is preordained, making free will an illusion, so we might as well accept our current reality. These insights are fueling tremendous scientific innovation. The strongest force in nature, which binds together quarks inside protons and neutrons, may be dictated by quantum interactions. Scientists have found that electrons swarm in a soup of quantum entanglement in a recently discovered class of materials called strange metals. An experiment housed deep underground in a Sardinian mine is designed to determine the weight of empty space —yes, it weighs something—and thereby isolate particles predicted by quantum field theory. To better understand the most inexplicable behavior of quantum particles, physicists have created lattices out of light waves that simulate solid materials. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. If many universes exist, the stars and planets that were able to form in ours could be the best evidence for them. But even how matter exists in the first place is a mystery to physicists. The universe seems stable, but an unlikely shift in the Higgs field, a quantum field that pervades all of space, could trigger a bubble that passes through the universe, annihilating all matter. Perhaps the most tangible application of quantum discovery is in computing. The key to quantum computing is the qubit, and it promises to make electronic machines obsolete. In a type of computing arms race, researchers are trying to build systems that can withstand the might of future quantum-armed hackers. Despite the hype and parade of press announcements from big tech, however, so far no company has achieved 'quantum advantage' —that is, a quantum computer able to solve a problem no classical computer can. For corporeal creatures such as humans, grappling with a universe that might not be singular, time that moves in many directions, and matter that both does and does not exist is mind-bending, to say the least. Two giants in early quantum theory, Werner Heisenberg and John Bell, speculated that because we perceive as we do, the mind, in a sense, defines quantum interactions. Its implications are cosmic, but the quantum realm is definitively a human one.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Sprained joint sidelines Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, who was likely to have been a leading contender for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, will miss the meeting. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has announced that a sprained joint will keep the talented juvenile on the sidelines. The son of Wootton Bassett won on his debut at Naas by a length and a quarter and then stepped up in grade to win the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh at the end of last month in impressive fashion. In a statement on Coolmore's X account, O'Brien said: "Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes winner Albert Einstein unfortunately will not run at Royal Ascot due to a sprained joint. He will have an easy three weeks."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien Royal Ascot blow as 'very special' horse ruled out of meeting
Aidan O'Brien has been dealt a blow ahead of Royal Ascot with news that Albert Einstein, a big fancy for the Coventry Stakes, will miss the meeting. The trainer has revealed that the promising youngster will be out of action due to a sprained joint. The colt, sired by Wootton Bassett, made a winning start at Naas and followed up with an impressive victory in the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh recently, with O'Brien giving him a glowing review afterwards, "We always thought he was very special," he told Racing TV. "He's probably as fast a horse as we have ever seen work. He won lovely the first day. Wayne (Lordan) gave him a beautiful ride but he lit up a lot, even though he wasn't asked much, so we were worried today with the wind and how quick he was whether Ryan would be able to get a lead on him. "He sat tight as long as he could, pulled him out and he said he just took a minute to engage because he hadn't been asked to work much off the bridle. Then he took off." Meanwhile, jockey Ryan Moore described the two-year-old as "very exciting and very fast" after the race. Breaking the bad news about Royal Ascot, Coolmore's Twitter feed quoted O'Brien as saying: "Group Three Marble Hill Stakes winner Albert Einstein unfortunately will not run at Royal Ascot due to a sprained joint. He will have an easy three weeks." It comes less than a week after star stayer Kyprios was retired "due to an aggravation of an old ringbone lesion".
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien suffers huge Royal Ascot blow as ‘very special' horse ruled out
The Ballydoyle trainer has been assembling his usual team of top talents but one of the most exciting, the unbeaten two-year-old Albert Einstein, will not run A new young Aidan O'Brien star has been ruled out of Royal Ascot. Albert Einstein, a home-bred son of Wootton Bassett who is from the family of 'Iron Horse' Giant's Causeway, has already become a Ballydoyle talking horse two races into his career. He scored at odds of 1-2 on his debut at Naas last month. Then two weeks later he opened his account at Pattern level when he landed the Group 3 Marble Hall Stakes at the Curragh, under Ryan Moore, going off at 4-11. The victory cemented his status as the one to beat in the Coventry Stakes at the royal meeting as his odds were cut to as low as 11-10 for the meeting's premier two-year-old race. O'Brien did not disguise his admiration of Albert Einstein after the race. 'We always thought he was very special,' he said. 'He's probably as fast a horse as we've ever seen work. We thought at home that he would be fine at six, seven or a mile and he still could be but Ryan said he's very quick. 'The plan was to come here and go to the Coventry. Hopefully he comes out of it well and his mind goes the right way. He's just a very, very fast horse. 'I'd say there is a lot to come the way he behaves. He was strong enough today. In Ascot you'd like him to gear down a little bit early and that means he'll have more at the end. 'The only thing thats going to do that is racing and hopefully everything will go well when he goes back." He continued: 'He's very exciting. From the first day he worked we always felt he was very different. He's 540kgs for a two-year-old and he doesn't look that big but he's just physically very strong.' However O'Brien confirmed on Tuesday that punters will have to wait for Albert Einstein's next racecourse appearance as he ruled him off the Royal Ascot trail. A statement posted by Coolmore said: 'Gr.3 Marble Hill Stakes winner Albert Einstein unfortunately will not run at Royal Ascot due to a sprained joint. He will have an easy three weeks.'
