## Observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks at the ATLAS detector ### Researchers are beginning to study the quantum entanglement of top quarks **Geneva, 16 August 2023** - For the first time, physicists at the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment have observed quantum entanglement between two top quarks. The result is published today in the journal **Nature Physics**. Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in which two particles are linked in such a way that they share the same fate, even when separated by a large distance. This means that if you measure the state of one particle, you can instantly know the state of the other, even if it is on the other side of the universe. Top quarks are the heaviest known elementary particles, and they are very short-lived, decaying into other particles within a fraction of a second. This has made it difficult to study their properties, including whether or not they can become entangled. The LHCb experiment is designed to study the decays of beauty quarks, which are also very short-lived. However, the LHCb experiment is also able to detect top quarks that are produced in the same collisions as beauty quarks. In the new study, the LHCb collaboration analyzed data from collisions produced by the LHC in 2016 and 2017. They found 11 events in which a top quark and an antitop quark were produced together and then decayed into other particles. In one of these events, the top quark and antitop quark were found to be entangled. The observation of quantum entanglement between top quarks is a significant breakthrough. It provides new insights into the fundamental nature of matter and could lead to the development of new technologies, such as quantum computers. ### What is quantum entanglement? Quantum entanglement is a phenomenon in which two particles are linked in such a way that they share the same fate, even when separated by a large distance. This means that if you measure the state of one particle, you can instantly know the state of the other, even if it is on the other side of the universe. Quantum entanglement is one of the most counterintuitive aspects of quantum mechanics, and it has been the subject of much debate and research. Some physicists believe that quantum entanglement is evidence of a non-local reality, while others believe that it is simply a mathematical artifact. Regardless of the philosophical implications, quantum entanglement has a number of potential applications. For example, it could be used to develop new types of quantum computers, which would be much more powerful than conventional computers. ### Why is the observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks significant? The observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks is a significant breakthrough for several reasons. First, it is the first time that quantum entanglement has been observed between two such heavy particles. This suggests that quantum entanglement is a more general phenomenon than previously thought. Second, the observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks provides new insights into the fundamental nature of matter. Top quarks are the heaviest known elementary particles, and they play a key role in the Standard Model of particle physics. The observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks could help to shed light on the nature of the Standard Model and the laws of physics at the highest energies. Third, the observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks could lead to the development of new technologies. For example, it could be used to develop new types of quantum computers, which would be much more powerful than conventional computers. ### What are the potential applications of quantum entanglement? Quantum entanglement has a number of potential applications, including: * Quantum computing: Quantum computers would be much more powerful than conventional computers, and they could be used to solve a wide range of problems that are currently intractable. * Quantum cryptography: Quantum cryptography is a secure communication method that uses quantum entanglement to protect messages from eavesdropping. * Quantum sensing: Quantum sensors are more sensitive than conventional sensors, and they could be used to detect a wide range of physical phenomena. The observation of quantum entanglement with top quarks is a significant breakthrough that could lead to a deeper understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and the development of new technologies.
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