Physicists Smash Record For Wave-Particle Duality

KentuckyFC writes "One of the central concepts in quantum theory is wave-particle duality — that every object can be thought of as a particle and a wave. Indeed every object has a quantum wavelength associated with it and so can form a quantum superposition with itself. That's easy to demonstrate with fundamental particles such as photons and electrons by passing a beam of them through a double slit and watching the interference pattern that forms on the other side. In this way, physicists have observed the interference patterns associated with atoms and even molecules such as buckyballs. Now, a group at the University of Vienna has observed the interference pattern formed by the quantum superposition of molecules containing over 800 atoms, or around 5,000 protons, 5,000 neutrons and 5,000 electrons. That's the most macroscopic occurrence of wave-particle duality ever observed, they say."

Comments

Whatever

[For a Free Internet]

Wake me up when they can find the wavelength of a Turtle, because quantum theory holds that the universe is made of picoturtles. Why should anyone believe quantum "science"?

Re:Whatever

[Anonymous Coward]

Picoturtles? What about the femtoturtles? It's turtles all the way down!

Re:Whatever

[Charliemopps]

Don't forget the four elephants on the back of the turtle holding the world up. It's like you people had never taken a science class before.

Not enough

[HeckRuler]

I won't be happy until they get a whole cat to exist in superposition.
Then a lab assistant.
THEN THE WORLD!

Re:Not enough

[Anonymous Coward]

Looks like we're going to need another Timmy!

Re:Not enough

[maxwell demon]

There are lots of pictures of coherent cats on the internet. Unfortunately as soon as somebody looks at them, they immediately collapse into a picture of a lolcat.

Re:useless

[lgw]

Finally they can stop scratching at doors until you let them through. Best invention ever!