Quantum physics articles within Nature

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• News & Views | 03 February 2010

  Quantum design for a light trap

  The photosynthetic apparatus of cryptophyte algae is odd — its pigments are farther apart than is expected for efficient functioning. A study into how this apparatus works so well finds quantum effects at play.

  • Rienk van Grondelle
  •  & Vladimir I. Novoderezhkin

• News and Views Q&A | 27 January 2010

  Quantum computing

  The race is on to build a computer that exploits quantum mechanics. Such a machine could solve problems in physics, mathematics and cryptography that were once thought intractable, revolutionizing information technology and illuminating the foundations of physics. But when?

  • Emanuel Knill

• Letter | 07 January 2010

  Quantum simulation of the Dirac equation

  The Dirac equation successfully merges quantum mechanics with special relativity. It predicts some peculiar effects such as 'Zitterbewegung', an unexpected quivering motion of a free relativistic quantum particle. This and other predicted phenomena are key fundamental examples for understanding relativistic quantum effects, but are difficult to observe in real particles. Here, using a single trapped ion set to behave as a free relativistic quantum particle, a quantum simulation of the one-dimensional Dirac equation is demonstrated.

  • R. Gerritsma
  • , G. Kirchmair
  •  & C. F. Roos

• News & Views | 06 January 2010

  Trapped ion set to quiver

  The peculiar ultra-fast trembling motion of a free electron — the Zitterbewegung predicted by Erwin Schrödinger in 1930 when he scrutinized the Dirac equation — has been simulated using a single trapped ion.

  • Christof Wunderlich

• News | 06 January 2010

  Quivering ions pass quantum test

  Table-top experiments unlock quantum realm predicted by Dirac equation.

  • Zeeya Merali