Quantum state unlocked in object at room temperature in world-first

Researchers from TU Wien and ETH Zurich have achieved a world-first by unlocking quantum states in glass nanoparticles at room temperature, bypassing the need for ultra-low temperatures typically required in quantum experiments. Their work focused on slightly elliptical nanoparticles smaller than a grain of sand, which were held in electromagnetic fields causing them to rotate around an equilibrium orientation. By using a system of lasers and mirrors capable of both supplying and extracting energy, the team was able to reduce the rotational energy of these particles, effectively bringing their motion close to the quantum ground state despite the particles being several hundred degrees hot. This breakthrough challenges the conventional understanding that quantum states can only be observed in systems cooled near absolute zero to isolate them from environmental disturbances. The researchers emphasized the importance of treating different degrees of freedom separately, which allowed them to manipulate the rotational movement independently and achieve quantum behavior at ambient temperatures. This advancement opens new avenues for studying quantum properties in larger objects and at practical temperatures, potentially accelerating developments in quantum sensing, computation, simulation, and crypt