The concepts of a quantum vacuum and quantum vacuum fluctuations are still not accepted by everyone. However, a group of researchers including the Institute of Quantum Computer's Christopher Wilson, a Waterloo electrical and computer engineering professor, has found further evidence that the two concepts are a reality.
Through experiments conducted at Chalmers University of Technology, the researchers who had their research published in the September 28 edition of Nature Physics were able to probe the quantum vacuum fluctuations and not only measure their strength, but also map out their shape them.
Using a mirror, the researchers were able to engineer the vacuum to reduce the fluctuations that in turn, control the vacuum modes, or give the fluctuations a well-defined shape. In many situations, the vacuum fluctuations limit the coherence, or lifetime, of a quantum bit (qubit) – in this case a superconducting artificial atom. If there were no vacuum fluctuations to cause the decay of the atom, it would stay in the excited state. Studying the lifetime of the atom therefore allowed Wilson and colleagues to probe the vacuum fluctuations.
“This is important from a quantum computing aspect,” said Wilson. “By figuring out different ways to shape and control the vacuum fluctuations, it’s a step towards the goal of developing quantum technologies.”