Quantum researchers cause controlled 'wobble' in the nucleus of a single atom
Researchers at Delft University of Technology induced a controlled movement in a titanium atom's nucleus, confirming theoretical predictions and suggesting potential for stable quantum information storage and future quantum technologies.
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Researchers at Delft University of Technology have successfully induced a controlled movement, or 'wobble', in the nucleus of a single titanium atom (Ti-47). This groundbreaking work, published in Nature Communications, demonstrates the interaction between the atomic nucleus and an outer electron, which can be manipulated using a scanning tunneling microscope. The study focused on the unique properties of Ti-47, which has a slightly magnetic nucleus due to having one less neutron than the more common Ti-48. The researchers utilized a weak hyperfine interaction to influence the nuclear spin through the electron's spin, achieving this with a precisely tuned magnetic field. By applying a voltage pulse, they were able to push the electron spin out of equilibrium, resulting in a synchronized wobble of both spins for a brief moment. This experiment not only confirms theoretical predictions by Schrödinger but also suggests that the nuclear spin could serve as a stable medium for storing quantum information, protected from external disturbances. The researchers emphasize the significance of their ability to manipulate matter at such a minuscule scale, highlighting the potential implications for future quantum technologies.
- Researchers induced a controlled 'wobble' in the nucleus of a titanium atom.
- The study focused on the Ti-47 atom, which has unique magnetic properties.
- A weak hyperfine interaction allowed the nuclear spin to be influenced by an electron's spin.
- The experiment confirms theoretical predictions and suggests potential for quantum information storage.
- The ability to manipulate matter at a small scale has significant implications for quantum technology.
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