SCIENTISTS JUST SPLIT “SOUND PARTICLES” ON A TINY CHIP

[noumoe]

SCIENTISTS JUST SPLIT “SOUND PARTICLES” ON A TINY CHIP AND BASICALLY BROKE PHYSICS

Scientists at Delft University of Technology created a silicon chip smaller than a human hair that can split phonons, which are the tiniest, quantum-sized bits of vibration.

This little chip acts like a traffic controller for sound at the atomic level.

It can take a single phonon and send it down one of 2 paths.

Like how a prism splits light.

It’s called a phononic directional coupler, and it’s a big deal because it lets different types of quantum devices “talk” to each other for the first time.

They even tested it with single phonons (tiny sound particles) and found it behaved exactly like light does in quantum experiments.

Now, what’s the point of building something this tiny?

Well, it could help scientists make hybrid quantum networks, basically superpowered computers and sensors that use both light and sound to move information faster and more efficiently.

If they can perfect it, this tech could lead to pocket-sized quantum computers, insanely sensitive sensors, and maybe even sound-based internet (good luck to your Wi-Fi).

Source: The Brighter Side