magnetoencephalography (MEG) tagged posts

Physicists made atoms behave like a quantum circuit

Ultracold atoms climbing a quantum staircase
Illustration related to the atomic Josephson junction performing the Shapiro steps. Credit: Giulia Del Pace

Using ultracold atoms and laser light, researchers recreated the behavior of a Josephson junction—an essential component of quantum computers and voltage standards. The appearance of Shapiro steps in this atomic system reveals a deep universality in quantum physics and makes elusive microscopic effects visible for the first time.

Josephson junctions play a central role in modern physics and technology. They enable extremely precise measurements, define the international standard for electrical voltage, and serve as essential components inside many quantum computers...

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