A quantum system interacting with an environment can behave very differently to when it is in isolation. This can be a problem when modelling messy biological systems – how do I describe the molecule I’m interested in without describing the rest of the surrounding chemical soup? In a recent manuscript that’s Read more…
The debate continues about quantum effects in the natural ‘compass sense’ that some birds have. The most well-studied species is the European Robin, shown in this picture: We’ve just published a Comment in PRL, with our counter arguments to some of the claims in a recent Letter there. Read it Read more…
Our recent paper in Nature Communications explains how we might be able to break up a quantum computer into little, easy to make pieces and then network them together. Read more about it at the Oxford University science blog here. …or the Singapore Centre for Quantum Technology story here. Below Read more…
In quantum physics, sometimes we may choose to perform measurements weakly: we deliberately avoid learning too much about a system so that its wavefunction does not collapse. It’s been suggested that a series of such measurements, suitably amplified, may ultimately do better than a regular measurement when the apparatus suffers from Read more…
In a recent New J. Physics article, we look at how one could create entanglement between two remote parties by generating, and then almost entirely consuming, a topological code state spread over any number of repeater stations. The approach tolerates 10% noise on the links between stations. It’s a scheme Read more…
In a recent Phys. Rev. Letter we take a look at the idea of using a chain of spins as a ‘wiring’ to bridging the gap between well-separated NV centres in diamond. We conclude that while the idea certainly works as a means of state transfer, the levels of control Read more…
Simon recently ran a conference on Open Science, with help from others in the QuNaT team: ‘Rigour and Openness in 21st Century Science’. Over 30 speakers gathered to discuss the cutting edge of digital innovations in publishing, how openness is set to improve standards in science, and the British government’s Read more…
How precisely do birds navigate over long distances without getting lost? In a Biophysical Journal article, we suggest that certain migratory birds might literally ‘see’ Earth’s magnetic field superimposed on their normal vision, reminiscent of a fighter pilot’s heads up display. Our proposal builds on the established Radical Pair model Read more…
Can objects be in two places at the same time? Even if we take the best theory of atomic physics for granted – quantum mechanics – the idea is difficult to reconcile with our experiences of everyday life. Is there a reason why macroscopic objects (such as cats, or the Read more…