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A trapped ion simulates the motion of a relativistic quantum particle
Sep 3, 2009
Researchers at Innsbruck use a single trapped ion to simulate the Dirac equation, which combines quantum mechanics with special relativity. They reproduce a predicted trembling motion that is difficult to observe in real particles.
Why it matters
A small, controllable quantum system can act as a laboratory for another system's physics, demonstrating the idea behind quantum simulation.
Roee Gerritsma · Christian Roos · Innsbruck
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