Posted on 12/03/2011 9:19:07 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Scientists have linked two diamonds in a mysterious process called entanglement that is normally only seen on the quantum scale.
Entanglement is so weird that Einstein dubbed it "spooky action at a distance." It's a strange effect where one object gets connected to another so that even if they are separated by large distances, an action performed on one will affect the other. Entanglement usually occurs with subatomic particles, and was predicted by the theory of quantum mechanics, which governs the realm of the very small...
Because energy must be conserved in closed systems (where there's no input of outside energy), the researchers knew that the "lost" energy had been used in some way. In fact, the energy had been converted into vibrational motion for one of the diamonds (albeit motion that is too small to observe visually). However, the scientists had no way of knowing which diamond was vibrating.
Then, the researchers sent a second pulse of laser light through the now-vibrating system. This time, if the light emerged with a color of higher frequency, it meant it had gained the energy back by absorbing it from the diamond, stopping its vibration...
If the two diamonds weren't entangled, the researchers would expect each detector to register a changed laser beam about 50 percent of the time. It's similar to tossing a coin, where random chance would lead to heads about half the time and tails the other half the time on average.
Instead, because the two diamonds were linked, they found that one detector measured the change every time, and the other detector never fired. The two diamonds, it seemed, were so connected they reacted as a single entity, rather than two individual objects.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
The vibrational states of two spatially separated, millimeter-sized diamonds are entangled at room temperature by beaming laser light at them (green). The researchers verified this entanglement by studying the subsequent laser pulses beamed through the system. CREDIT: Science/AAAS
Intriguing! Thanks for the post.
Yes, we call this a "joint checking account." It's a bad thing.
Wow! Bell’s inequality in action!
>>It’s a strange effect where one object gets connected to another so that even if they are separated by large distances, an action performed on one will affect the other.<<
Obviously, these scientists never observed my ex-wife and a late alimony check.
(It's an old sci-fi concept for using a phenomenon with no measurable propagation rate as a communications medium over interstellar distances.)
Interesting...
I like this, might make really private communication possible.
The word “diamonds” lured me into a smart people thread!
But this is actually very cool and exciting.
Already been done.
Already been done.
“If the two diamonds weren’t entangled, the researchers would expect each detector to register a changed laser beam about 50 percent of the time... Instead, because the two diamonds were linked, they found that one detector measured the change every time, and the other detector never fired. The two diamonds, it seemed, were so connected they reacted as a single entity, rather than two individual objects.”
I really think that is a big leap of logic. I also think it’s a big leap of logic to say that the diamonds are “entangled” just because they sent a laser thru the diamonds at the same time. But I have to admit I am somewhat skeptical of quantum theory in general. The scientists who study this are always willing to assume everything they see is a result of quantum effects.
I guess the obvious question is what else could explain the fact that one sensor fires all the time? I think there are a lot of possible explanations that have nothing to do with quantum mechanics. For example, it might be that there is a defect in one of the diamonds that causes it to absorb the photon before the other has a chance to do so. Or it could be that one of the sensors is more sensitive.
Yeah but what about the di-lithium crystals for the matter/anti-matter pods?
Bookmark, thanks
Still a matter political policy. The State could still make such tech illegal, or demand that "access" be allowed (ie, China). And unless there is a way to make to tech very easily available to anyone, you can't just create entangled objects.
I think it will take another Einstein to really explain entanglement as something other than "spooky". Same goes for dark matter. Like Einstein, it'll take someone in the right place at the right time, of genius intellect, and unencumbered by current thinking.
Col 1: 16-17 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
“The two diamonds, it seemed, were so connected they reacted as a single entity, rather than two individual objects.”
The beginning of the Borg.
ANSIBLE! INSTANT COMMUNICATION ACROSS LONG DISTANCES!!!!
I love Orson Scott Card. Billions should be thrown at this to replicate it.
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