Phonon splitting using quantum mechanics
Recently physicists have succeeded in splitting phonons using quantum mechanics.
- Scientists have successfully split the phonon. In addition, scientists have also demonstrated the properties and ability of phonons to manipulate and control quantum states.
- Phonons are in a quasiparticle state. These represent the collective vibrations of atoms or molecules in a solid substance.
- This achievement could lead to the development of sound-sensitive quantum computers or ultra-sensitive measuring instruments in the future.
- Currently, photons (particles of light) are used as qubits in linear optical quantum computing. Qubits are the basic unit of information in a quantum computer.
- Both the photon and the phonon are important topics for quantum computing research. However, studying phonons is challenging due to their high sensitivity to sound and problems with scalability and detection.
Photon:
- Photons are tiny packets of energy present in light or electromagnetic waves.
- Photons can also travel in vacuum.
- Photons of different wavelengths usually do not interact.
- Photons exhibit both particle and wave properties. Hence it is also known as “wave-particle duality”.
Phonons:
- Phonons are tiny packets of energy present in sound waves.
- Phonons need a medium like air or water to travel.
- Phonons of different wavelengths collide with each other and interact, or mix. This causes them to produce a different wavelength.
Source – The Hindu
