Weird quantum effect that can turn matter invisible finally demonstrated
The bizarre effect is the first ever specific example of a quantum mechanical process called Pauli blocking.
"What we've observed is one very special and simple form of Pauli blocking, which is that it prevents an atom from what all atoms would naturally do: scatter light," study senior author Wolfgang Ketterle, a professor of physics at MIT, said in a statement. "This is the first clear observation that this effect exists, and it shows a new phenomenon in physics."
The new technique could be used to develop light-suppressing materials to prevent information loss in quantum computers.
The bizarre effect is the first ever specific example of a quantum mechanical process called Pauli blocking.
"What we've observed is one very special and simple form of Pauli blocking, which is that it prevents an atom from what all atoms would naturally do: scatter light," study senior author Wolfgang Ketterle, a professor of physics at MIT, said in a statement. "This is the first clear observation that this effect exists, and it shows a new phenomenon in physics."
The new technique could be used to develop light-suppressing materials to prevent information loss in quantum computers.