Just as metaphors in literature, metal music combined with classical elements, and motherhood unveiling freedom, seemingly incongruous things can harmonize surprisingly well. These are personal favourites of mine, and now I’ll present a significantly far-fetched example. Recently, even the greatest minds have entertained the idea that the field of quantum physics has transcended into a realm that is almost magical or spiritual.
How is this possible? – you might reasonably ask. By framing it as a blend of science and abstract thinking, we get closer to understanding, as the latter is essential for the former’s development. It’s also necessary for engaging with the spiritual world.
In this article, I won’t delve into spirits or prayers, nor will I discuss different belief systems. Believe me, dear reader, science alone, specifically quantum physics, will be enough to give you goosebumps! Or perhaps to send chills down your spine… it depends.
Quantum Entanglement
Let’s start in the middle, with one of the most illustrative examples. Have you ever heard that twins have a special connection? That there’s some other bond between them beyond simple sibling or family ties? Many might facilitate the idea, thinking there’s something to it, but who really knows…
The past few decades have aimed to prove that this is scientifically verifiable. Not primarily for this reason, as science has stronger interests, but they also touch upon explaining the special connection between twins.
A discovery, repeatedly proven since, tells us that quantum entanglement is possible, where pairs of photons are generated and their states are interlinked, regardless of distance. This is possible due to a quantum mechanical phenomenon known as superposition. When two photon particles become entangled, they assume a quantum state, meaning their states are determined because they are part of a common wave function. Due to their entanglement, both particles influence each other at least at the moment of their measurement.
Stupendous Applications
Quantum physics fundamentally examines nanoscopic phenomena. Before this—when science considered the atomic level the smallest—physics worked relatively universally. However, with the discovery of quantum mechanics, an intriguing aspect emerged: “classical physics” doesn’t apply everywhere. Even Albert Einstein opposed these findings, despite his involvement, as they contradicted his theory of relativity.
As iPon magazine put it:
“It’s not simply about some professional rivalry between supporters of the two theories, but the theories genuinely conflict to the point where, in their current forms, they simply cannot describe the same reality.”
This difference in reality is why quantum mechanical experiments and implementations might initially seem like sorcery. They aren’t easily interpretable within the plane of physics we experience or the simple logic of ones and zeros we’ve been accustomed to. Yet, quantum physics is very real. The following examples demonstrate this well.
Quantum Communication with Photons
Under physicist Jian-Wei Pan’s leadership, China achieved clear communication based solely on quantum science with its satellite Micius, launched into orbit in 2016. This development not only seemed optimistic but almost unimaginable a few years prior. Micius enabled secure quantum cryptographic messaging over a distance of 1200 kilometres using photon particles.
“In 2017, the team, together with an Austrian research group, used the satellite to conduct the world’s first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference between Beijing and Vienna.” [1]
Following initial tests and analyses, this quantum-based encryption was perfected to such an extent that Jian-Wei Pan stated, “We don’t have to trust the satellite. So, anyone can make the satellite—even your enemy.”
For a technical understanding, refer to the article on űrvilág.hu.
Quantum Teleportation
Excuse me? Did you think it only existed in sci-fi films? Ray Kurzweil also predicted in his book The Singularity is Near that, virtually, all magic in the Harry Potter books will become possible through technological advancements in this century. When I read this line, years ago, it pretty much determined what topics I would be interested in researching.
So yes, successful teleportation has been achieved. Not of a person, of course, but of photons, relying on the phenomenon of quantum entanglement.
Anton Zeilinger was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2022 for his experiment in which the state of one particle was teleported to another. This is noteworthy, but don’t line up for a teleportation machine just yet, as the current capability means the original particle to be teleported is destroyed, and “only” its perfect quantum copy, its state, is transferred to another one without spatial travel. At first glance, this may not seem as monumental as it truly is because due to certain sci-fi and fantastical ideas everyone wants to teleport people and objects already. Or their hamster. While we can roughly guess that (for now) these are wild ideas, this particular research group, including John F. Clauser and Alain Aspect, nonetheless executed the teleportation at the particle state level, laying the groundwork for future possibilities.
Quantum Computing
Recently, quantum computers have received significant attention, due to the intensifying competition and their intimidating aspects. Those who work in any segment of IT know that cryptography is a crucial pillar of all communication processes. It enables encryption and keeps the integrity of information (data). For those not in this field, let me explain in a highly simplified manner: all pre-quantum cryptographic methods rely on the logic of ones and zeros, such as encrypting a message on a phone, sending the encrypted message via any traditional channel (Internet, SMS), and decrypting it on the target device, say, with a key.
This classical cryptography can be either simple or complex, but it’s only computable to the extent that, today, in 2024, the latest non-quantum cryptographic tools are robust enough to withstand even the most powerful computational capacity. In other words, they can’t crack your password if you’ve created it properly:
However, once quantum computing arrives—and it has—none of this will matter. Once the basics needed to maintain quantum state and capacity are solved, the same calculations will occur in a fraction of a second.
There’s no need to panic just yet because, in addition to the inherently complex and expensive quantum computer, maintaining the quantum state requires a special environment, such as supercooling qubits (quantum bits)—often to absolute zero—or achieving a complete vacuum. These aren’t easily accomplished in the offices of the everyday hacker. And a non-ordinary hacker wouldn’t target you. For now.
Quantum in Life Sciences
Let’s put cryptography aside, it’s “just” one aspect. There are also pharmaceutical possibilities, logistical solutions, and quantum computations used for optimization. These are less abstract but can be executed much faster than the previously imaginable maximum speed. Some particularly interesting projects are Microsoft’s material science research and D-Wave’s drug discovery programs using quantum technology.
D-Wave Quantum Technology, due to the previously mentioned computational capacity, provides an effective and complex solution, notably much faster than traditional computer software. Among other things, it’s used for molecular biological modelling in drug discovery to find the lowest energy configurations of molecular structures. [3]
Microsoft also uses quantum technology in material sciences to simulate and understand new materials at the atomic level. Quantum simulations can accurately predict the behaviour of materials, essential for designing materials with specific properties, such as superconductors, catalysts, or energy-efficient compounds. Through quantum computing, Microsoft aims to accelerate the discovery and development of innovative materials that can revolutionize various industries, from electronics to renewable energy. [4]
The above-described experiments and applications are just a small glimpse into the quantum world. Somehow, this has entered our world below the surface. With its approximately 100-year direct history, quantum physics is a relatively new field of science, but developments related to it have accelerated enormously due to major breakthroughs. We often hear quite eerie future visions due to the exponential growth of computing technology at this level.
Personally, I like to view this path optimistically. What’s frightening is not what machines are capable of, but that people configure them and so they learn from us. With this, I think I’m hinting at an opinion, but perhaps that’s for another article. It’s worth keeping an open eye on the future, which is already quite present.