Study explores quantum clocks ticking at multiple speeds

May 18, 2026

Reported by AI

Physicists have published research proposing that a single clock could tick both faster and slower at the same time due to quantum effects. The work combines relativity and quantum mechanics in a novel way. Researchers say advances in atomic clock technology may soon allow the idea to be tested in the lab.

A paper published on April 20, 2026 in Physical Review Letters outlines the possibility of clocks existing in quantum superposition. Assistant Professor Igor Pikovski of Stevens Institute of Technology led the study with collaborators from Colorado State University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The research builds on earlier ideas from more than a decade ago that were previously too subtle to observe.

MIT terahertz microscope revealing quantum vibrations in a superconductor crystal, with scientists observing in a lab.

MIT builds terahertz microscope to observe quantum motions in superconductors

March 18, 2026 Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Physicists at MIT have developed a new microscope using terahertz light to directly observe hidden quantum vibrations inside a superconducting material for the first time. The device compresses terahertz light to overcome its wavelength limitations, revealing frictionless electron flows in BSCCO. This breakthrough could advance understanding of superconductivity and terahertz-based communications.

Physicists uncover tiny flaw in time from quantum collapse models

An international team of physicists has found that quantum collapse models, potentially linked to gravity, introduce a minuscule uncertainty in time itself. This sets a fundamental limit on clock precision, though far below current detection levels. The research, published in Physical Review Research, explores ties between quantum mechanics and gravity.

Chinese optical clock reaches 10^{-19} precision level

March 21, 2026 Reported by AI

Chinese scientists have developed an optical clock with stability and uncertainty both surpassing 10^{-19}, a level achieved by only a handful of top global labs. The achievement, published in Metrologia, could position China to lead efforts in redefining the second.

Technology

Physicists reverse quantum time flow to charge batteries

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University of Vienna tests indefinite causal order in quantum experiment

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Australian scientists demonstrate world's first quantum battery prototype

Quantum systems exhibit memory depending on perspective, scientists find

An international team of researchers has discovered that quantum systems can appear memoryless from one viewpoint while retaining memory from another. The finding, based on Schrödinger and Heisenberg pictures, reveals hidden memory effects in quantum dynamics. This could impact the design of quantum technologies.

Scientists teleport photon state across 270 meters

May 01, 2026 Reported by AI

An international team of researchers has achieved a milestone in quantum communication by teleporting the polarization state of a single photon between two separate quantum dots over a 270-meter open-air link. The experiment, conducted at Sapienza University of Rome, demonstrates the potential for quantum relays in future quantum networks. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

May 14, 2026 19:59