News for Physics and Astronomy

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Mitigating errors in superconducting quantum circuits to pave the way for future quantum computers

Aluminum superconducting electrical circuit

With the quantum age on the horizon, scientists are working to develop quantum computers that will have a processing speed exponentially faster than today’s most advanced supercomputer. Building a useful quantum computer is one of the great engineering challenges of our time. In all implementations, qubits that are reliable, stable, and scalable are essential in this endeavor. 

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Researchers bring theory to reality with a new experiment

Four people standing beside a white tank

Energy is present everywhere in the universe, from the tiniest particles to the vastness of space. According to quantum mechanics, vacuum states like outer space are not actually empty, because when observed at microscopic scales, there are spontaneous energy fluctuations. 

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Co-op Students of the Year make a difference in changing workforce

Six students holding certificates.

The University of Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) announced the winners of the annual award for co-op students today in a hybrid in-person and virtual ceremony. Welcoming Ukrainian refugees, supporting out-of-this-world discoveries and shaping Canada's future in space are just a few of the many achievements of the 2022 Co-op Students of the Year.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Distance between water molecules key for future quantum devices

Grayscale of water molecules.

Water has many unique properties. An interdisciplinary team of Waterloo scientists has discovered a one-dimensional chain of water molecules could produce a quantum phase transition. This breakthrough is a key development for future water-based quantum devices.

Monday, February 13, 2023

A powerful duality in mathematical physics

Natalie Paquette and Kevin Costello standing in front of a black board of equations.

Duality is the incredible “two-in-one” combo of physics. Whenever two aspects of nature – electricity and magnetism, particles and waves, the field theory of particles and the theory of gravity – can be mathematically connected, new and unified theories of nature can emerge. But research collaborations can be powerful dualities in themselves.