Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy Ames National Laboratory and Iowa State University have discovered an unexpected “quantum echo” in a superconducting material, marking a significant breakthrough that could revolutionize quantum sensing and computing technologies. This groundbreaking research opens new pathways for understanding and manipulating quantum behaviors at the most fundamental level.
Superconductors are extraordinary materials that carry electricity without any resistance, a property that makes them invaluable for advanced technological applications. When cooled below critical temperatures, these materials undergo dramatic changes in their electronic properties, creating unique quantum states that scientists have long sought to understand and control.
Within these superconductors exist collective vibrations known as “Higgs modes,” named after their similarity to the famous Higgs boson particle. A Higgs mode represents a quantum phenomenon that occurs when electron potential fluctuates in characteristic patterns, typically appearing during superconducting phase transitions. These modes are considered fundamental excitations of the superconducting state and hold keys to understanding the quantum nature of these materials.
For decades, observing these elusive vibrations has presented formidable challenges for the scientific community. Higgs modes exist for extraordinarily brief periods, making them difficult to detect and study. Additionally, they engage in complex interactions with quasiparticles—electron-like excitations that emerge from the breakdown of superconductivity—creating intricate quantum dynamics that have remained largely mysterious until now.
The breakthrough came through the application of advanced terahertz (THz) spectroscopy techniques, sophisticated tools that allow scientists to probe materials with unprecedented precision. Using these cutting-edge methods, the research team discovered a completely novel type of quantum echo, which they termed the “Higgs echo,” in superconducting niobium materials—the same materials commonly used in quantum computing circuits.
“Unlike conventional echoes observed in atoms or semiconductors, the Higgs echo arises from a complex interaction between the Higgs modes and quasiparticles, leading to unusual signals with distinct characteristics,” explained Jigang Wang, a scientist at Ames Lab and leader of the research team. This discovery represents a fundamentally new category of quantum phenomenon that could reshape our understanding of superconducting materials.
The implications of this discovery extend far beyond basic scientific understanding. According to Wang, the Higgs echo demonstrates remarkable capabilities—it can remember and reveal hidden quantum pathways within the material, essentially acting as a quantum memory system. By employing precisely timed pulses of THz radiation, the team successfully observed these echoes and demonstrated their potential for practical applications.
Most remarkably, the researchers discovered they could use these THz radiation pulses to encode, store, and retrieve quantum information embedded within the superconducting material. This capability represents a significant step toward practical quantum information processing, offering new methods for quantum data storage and manipulation that could prove more stable and efficient than current approaches.
“Understanding and controlling these unique quantum echoes brings us a step closer to practical quantum computing and advanced quantum sensing technologies,” Wang emphasized. The research demonstrates unprecedented ability to control and observe quantum coherence in superconductors, opening possibilities for revolutionary advances in quantum technology.
This research has been detailed in the paper “Discovery of an unconventional quantum echo by interference of Higgs coherence,” authored by Chuankun Huang, Martin Mootz, Liang Luo, Di Cheng, Avinash Khatri, Joong-Mok Park, Richard H.J. Kim, Yihua Qiang, Victor L. Quito, Yongxin Yao, Peter P. Orth, Ilias E. Perakis, and Jigang Wang, and published in Science Advances.
The project received partial support through the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS), one of five U.S. Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers. Led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, SQMS represents a collaboration of more than 30 partner institutions spanning national laboratories, academia, and industry, working collectively to achieve transformational advances in quantum information science.
Ames National Laboratory, operated by Iowa State University as a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Laboratory, continues its mission of creating innovative materials, technologies, and energy solutions through interdisciplinary collaborations addressing global challenges.
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