Physicists have successfully recreated the thought-provoking concept of Schrödinger’s cat using quantum bits, or qubits. The experiment involved heating particles to temperatures above absolute zero, contrary to previous experiments that relied on near-absolute zero conditions.
Led by Gerhard Kirchmair from the University of Innsbruck in Austria, the team used “hot” particles to generate a superposition state similar to the one described in Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment. This achievement challenges the conventional understanding of quantum mechanics and opens up new possibilities for applications.
The experiment involved exposing transmon qubits to microwaves in a microwave resonator, which effectively created a “cat” state. The team then applied two established protocols used at lower temperatures to generate the superposition state. To their surprise, these protocols worked successfully even at warmer temperatures, indicating that temperature should not significantly interfere with the process.
This groundbreaking study demonstrates that quantum effects can be generated in non-ground states, which could have significant implications for future research and applications. The findings suggest that “hot” particles can be used to create Schrödinger’s cat-like states, making it possible to explore previously inaccessible areas of physics.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a64358936/hot-schrodingers-cat