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June 17, 2004 3:11 PM PDT

Atomic particles 'teleported'

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Teleportation--"sending" atoms, or at least their properties, through space without any physical movement--is possible, according to scientists at the National Institute for Standards and Technologies.

In a paper published in the journal Nature, NIST scientists say they were able to transfer the quantum state, or list of active properties, of one beryllium atom to another. The quantum state describes such physical characteristics as energy, motion and magnetic field.

Since the quantum properties of an atom can represent data, teleportation could be thought of as a way of creating an atomic network. Data could move rapidly through teleportation from one zone in a hypothetical quantum computer to another.

In NIST's teleportation experiment, there is no physical movement. Instead, data is transmitted. Such a transfer could speed up calculations in a futuristic computer. "It is quicker than moving the atoms" in such a computer, NIST spokeswoman Laura Ost said.

The NIST experiment works by putting three atoms in a confined area, called a trap, filled with gold electrons and lasers. Lasers are used to excite the atoms and change their spin, a quantum property. Atoms No. 1 and No. 2 are entangled, or set into a relationship with each other that creates a distinct interaction. The properties of the 1-2 relationship are then replicated in a 1-3 entanglement. Thus, atom No. 3 takes on the characteristics of atom No. 3, because the 1-3 entanglement now is identical, for measuring purposes, to the 1-2 relationship.

"It's hard to quickly move qubits (the quantum form of digital bits) to share or process information," NIST physicist David Wineland, leader of the work, said in a prepared statement. "But using teleportation as we've reported could allow logic operations to be performed much more quickly."

Scientists can't determine the exact quantum properties of the atoms, but by studying the relative properties of the atoms, the characteristics of one can be said to have transferred--thus, the atom in question has, for all purposes, been teleported.

"It is very hard to explain or understand, but the general idea is that there is this mathematical link set up," Ost said. "It is not a physical link."

Using atoms or molecules to represent the 1s and 0s of computing has become more prevalent in research laboratories. In April, Israeli scientists said they were having success with a so-called DNA computer that could find malignant cells by tracking the pattern of the four amino acids on DNA and RNA strands.

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teleportable particles
by June 18, 2004 5:30 PM PDT
My understanding of quantum mechanics (theory) is that "science" can't determine where any particle is at any one moment. As such, how is it able to identify a particle's position such that its "teleportable qualities" can be teleported to another particle, the position of which is unknown. Furthermore, how does one go about "knowing" that the "teleportable qualities" got teleported? Or is this just another "just so story?"
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teleportable particles
by June 18, 2004 5:30 PM PDT
My understanding of quantum mechanics (theory) is that "science" can't determine where any particle is at any one moment. As such, how is it able to identify a particle's position such that its "teleportable qualities" can be teleported to another particle, the position of which is unknown. Furthermore, how does one go about "knowing" that the "teleportable qualities" got teleported? Or is this just another "just so story?"
Reply to this comment
Quantum Computer using Atomic Holographic NanoTechnology
by grey_eminence June 18, 2004 5:51 PM PDT
http://colossalstorage.net/colossal5j.htm
Reply to this comment
Quantum Computer using Atomic Holographic NanoTechnology
by grey_eminence June 18, 2004 5:51 PM PDT
http://colossalstorage.net/colossal5j.htm
Reply to this comment
"Gold electrons"?
by MarkFlax June 19, 2004 12:57 AM PDT
This article, (and ZDNet's article of the same), quoted that "The NIST experiment works by putting three atoms in a confined area, called a trap, filled with gold electrons and lasers".

Now, I'm no Quantum Mechanics scientist, I'm not even a scientist, but "Gold Electrons"?

What is the difference between electrons from the Gold atom to electrons from any other atom?

As far as I am aware all electrons are the same, whether from Gold, Hydrogen, Carbon, Plutonium, or any other element. This makes me wonder about the validity of the experiment, or the report, but I would be very happy to be corrected.
Reply to this comment
gold electrons
by June 19, 2004 9:10 AM PDT
maybe the author(s) meant that they removed electrons from gold. i agree with your statement as i've been taught that all electrons are equal.

but then, in this day of diversity and tolerance, perhaps all electrons didn't "evolve" equally.
"Gold electrons"?
by MarkFlax June 19, 2004 12:57 AM PDT
This article, (and ZDNet's article of the same), quoted that "The NIST experiment works by putting three atoms in a confined area, called a trap, filled with gold electrons and lasers".

Now, I'm no Quantum Mechanics scientist, I'm not even a scientist, but "Gold Electrons"?

What is the difference between electrons from the Gold atom to electrons from any other atom?

As far as I am aware all electrons are the same, whether from Gold, Hydrogen, Carbon, Plutonium, or any other element. This makes me wonder about the validity of the experiment, or the report, but I would be very happy to be corrected.
Reply to this comment
gold electrons
by June 19, 2004 9:10 AM PDT
maybe the author(s) meant that they removed electrons from gold. i agree with your statement as i've been taught that all electrons are equal.

but then, in this day of diversity and tolerance, perhaps all electrons didn't "evolve" equally.
Breakthrough ? World?s First Entangled Atomic Particles
by grey_eminence November 5, 2004 8:26 PM PST
http://www.nrc.org/press/PRshow.html?id=66
Reply to this comment
Breakthrough ? World?s First Entangled Atomic Particles
by grey_eminence November 5, 2004 8:26 PM PST
http://www.nrc.org/press/PRshow.html?id=66
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