Scientists create ‘hot’ Schrödinger’s cat states at higher temperatures

The Schrödinger’s cat paradox is a familiar term in quantum physics, where a cat can be both alive and dead (or in two quantum states) at the same time, and now scientists have taken this mind-bending concept a step further by creating ‘hot’ Schrödinger cat states.

As it happens, to observe quantum phenomena, researchers typically had to chill their experiments to near absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius), creating a serene environment for delicate quantum states. However, scientists at the University of Innsbruck have decided to turn up the heat – literally.

Specifically, they managed to produce these peculiar quantum states at a balmy 1.8 Kelvin, which is about -271.35 degrees Celsius. Although it still seems freezing to us, in the quantum realm it makes a massive difference, and the researchers have shared the details in the report on April 4.

Creating ‘hot’ Schrödinger’s cat states

To make this happen, the scientists used a device called a transmon qubit inside a superconducting microwave resonator. By tweaking their methods, they coaxed the system into exhibiting quantum superpositions even at these elevated temperatures.

Gerhard Kirchmair, one of the lead researchers, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough, which suggests that quantum behaviors might be more robust and versatile than previously thought, challenging the long-held belief that only icy conditions can foster quantum effects:

“Schrödinger also assumed a living, i.e. ‘hot’ cat in his thought experiment. (…) We wanted to know whether these quantum effects can also be generated if we don’t start from the ‘cold’ ground state.”

This discovery could have exciting implications for the future of quantum technologies, paving the way for more practical and accessible quantum devices, like quantum computers that don’t require complex refrigeration systems to operate efficiently.

Meanwhile, scientists have made other breakthroughs in the quantum sphere, including harnessing quantum entanglement to decode certain strange metals, developing an interconnect device for scalable communication between quantum computer processors, and uncovering a hidden quantum state.

And let’s not forget the discovery of a new way to observe and control quantum entanglement in which quantum computers can ‘look at’ their own entanglement, making it easier to understand and improve their performance.