n This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features a lively discussion about our Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2023. Physics World editors discuss the merits of research on a broad range of topics including particle physics, quantum technology, medical physics and astronomy. n The top 10 serves as the shortlist for the Physics World… Continue reading Top 10 Breakthroughs of 2023: we explore this year’s best physics research

Physics World is delighted to announce its top 10 Breakthroughs of the Year for 2023, which ranges from research in astronomy and medical physics to quantum science, atomic physics and more. The overall Physics World Breakthrough of the Year will be revealed on Thursday 14 December. n The 10 Breakthroughs were selected by a panel… Continue reading Physics World reveals its top 10 Breakthroughs of the Year for 2023

Researchers at ETH Zürich in Switzerland have transformed a microchip laser that emits a single frequency (or colour) of light into one that emits light over a broad range of frequencies. The new optical comb device, which works thanks to a process known as a quantum walk, could be used to make miniaturized optical sensors… Continue reading Laser light goes for a quantum walk in a microchip

Researchers in the US have improved the coherence time of charge quantum bits (qubits) by a factor of 1000 thanks to advances in the materials used to construct them. Led by Dafei Jin of the Argonne Center for Nanoscale Materials and David Schuster of Stanford University and the University of Chicago, the multi-institutional team also… Continue reading Charge qubits get a thousand-fold boost

n This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast looks at two very different and very difficult challenges — how to build a quantum computer that can overcome the debilitating noise that plagues current processors; and how to ensure that the UK meets its target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. nn Our first… Continue reading Why Alice & Bob are making cat qubits, IOP calls for action on net-zero target

One of the many factors that have contributed to the success of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) has been its emphasis on the power of collaboration. At its inception in 2014 the NQTP established four research hubs that enabled academic groups from across the UK to share knowledge and resources, accelerating the development… Continue reading Partnerships push for quantum advantage

<p>The way Morgane König sees it, questioning how we came to be in the universe is one of the most fundamental parts of being human.</p>nn<p>When she was 12 years old, König decided the place to find answers was in physics. A family friend was a physicist, and she attributed her interest in the field to… Continue reading Everything, everywhere all at once

The Irish government has published a national strategy for quantum research in the country. Many of the top technology companies have operations in Ireland and the report – Quantum 2030 – A National Quantum Technologies Strategy for Ireland – describes Ireland as being ideally situated to capitalize on quantum for industry, noting the potential for… Continue reading Ireland publishes national strategy for quantum research

The Irish government has finally applied to join the CERN particle-physics laboratory near Geneva as an associate member. The application will be considered at CERN’s next council session in mid-December. n CERN has 23 full member states with Cyprus, Estonia and Slovenia applying for that status too. Member countries pay costs towards CERN’s programmes and… Continue reading Ireland set to join the CERN particle-physics lab

Soft, implantable optical fibres that move and stretch with the body have been developed by researchers from the US for use in optogenetics studies. The tool will help scientists identify the mechanisms underlying nerve pain and other peripheral nerve disorders in animal models and help to develop new treatments. n Peripheral nerve pain is a… Continue reading Flexible optical fibres deliver light to nerves for optogenetic pain inhibition