Physicists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by creating a quantum superposition that lasted over 20 minutes, opening new doors for exploring unusual quantum phenomena. Quantum superpositions are delicate and typically vanish in mere fractions of a second. However, Chinese researchers have maintained one for a record-breaking 23 minutes and 20 seconds, as reported on the preprint server arXiv. This success could lead to more stable quantum devices and might even help scientists uncover new and strange aspects of quantum physics. For this experiment, physicists used 10,000 ytterbium atoms cooled nearly to absolute zero, or -273.15 degrees Celsius, and held them in place using light. Each atom was precisely controlled, placing it into a superposition, or “quantum cat” state, where it existed in two opposing states at once. This concept refers back to Schrödinger’s famous thought experiment, where a cat in a closed box can be simultaneously alive and dead, thanks to a random quantum process. Because we can’t observe the cat until the box is opened, the cat theoretically occupies both states. In the same way, quantum particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, an idea that challenges our everyday, non-quantum reality. While quantum superpositions usually disappear almost instantly, the team’s experiment extended this state to a remarkable 1,400 seconds. They believe even longer superposition times could be possible with improved vacuum conditions. Moreover, other elements beyond ytterbium might be used for such experiments, expanding the scope of these quantum studies. Recently, physicists also achieved another record in quantum mechanics by creating a superposition in the heaviest macroscopic object to date: a crystal weighing 16 micrograms. These advances point to a future with more precise quantum measurements and potentially revolutionary quantum technologies. The post Quantum Cat Experiment Sets New Record, Surviving Over 20 Minutes appeared first on Anomalien.com.