MIT Discovers New Forms of Matter, Magnetism

[Gahars]

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (or MIT as all the kids call it) is at the forefront of all sorts of research and technology. They've been responsible for all sorts of discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations, and it looks like they've done it again.

Gases, Liquids, and Solids, eat your respective hearts out.

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new state of matter with a new kind of magnetism. This new state, called a quantum spin liquid (QSL), could lead to significant advances in data storage. QSLs also exhibit a quantum phenomenon called long-range entanglement, which could lead to new types of communications systems, and more.

...In the case of quantum spin liquids, the material is a solid crystal — but the internal magnetic state is constantly in flux. The magnetic orientations of the electrons (their magnetic moment) fluctuate as they interact with other nearby electrons. “But there is a strong interaction between them, and due to quantum effects, they don’t lock in place,” says Young Lee, senior author of the research. It is these strong interactions that apparently allow for long-range quantum entanglement.

The existence of QSLs has been theorized since 1987, but until now no one has succeeded in actually finding one. In MIT’s case, the researchers spent 10 months growing a tiny sliver of herbertsmithite (pictured above) — a material that was suspected to be a QSL, but which had never been properly investigated. (Bonus points if you can guess who herbertsmithite is named after.) Using neutron scattering — firing a beam of neutrons at a material to analyze its structure — the researchers found that the herbertsmithite was indeed a QSL.

Extreme Tech

The QSL in picture form.

But why does this matter, well, matter? Well, this discovery has the potential to boost data storage and communications, and it could foster higher-temperature superconductors. Since a development like this is so unprecedented, there may be other benefits that we simply can't see foresee yet. We're looking at a brand new frontier here.

Plus, seeing this unique form of magnetism is also pretty cool, though I'll be the first to admit I don't fully understand it.

Seriously, fucking magnets - how do they work?

 

[Qtis]

Things just keep getting better and better! There have been quite a few interesting jumps in tech during the last 10 or 20 years. Hopefully they get the stuff into products sooner than later :3

 

[Sicklyboy]

I wonder if it was named after Herbert Smith?

Edit - Just more space to store my porn.

 

[Arras]

So, anyone care to explain what long-range entanglement means?

 

[Flame]

... new hard drivers.. can this hard drives be destroyed easily, that's the real question..

 

[Vulpes Abnocto]

So, anyone care to explain what long-range entanglement means?

Quantum Entanglement:
Quantum entanglement occurs when particles such as photons, electrons, molecules as large as buckyballs, and even small diamonds interact physically and then become separated; the type of interaction is such that each resulting member of a pair is properly described by the same quantum mechanical description (state), which is indefinite in terms of important factors such as position, momentum, spin, polarization, etc.

Related:

 

[MegaBassBX]

So, anyone care to explain what long-range entanglement means?

N?A=5ß

Quantum Entanglement:
Quantum entanglement occurs when particles such as photons, electrons, molecules as large as buckyballs, and even small diamonds interact physically and then become separated; the type of interaction is such that each resulting member of a pair is properly described by the same quantum mechanical description (state), which is indefinite in terms of important factors such as position, momentum, spin, polarization, etc.

Related:

I like that AI mouth it's reminds me of something really really good

 

[FAST6191]

Obligatory whoo science.

@Arras entanglement has many implications, most developed right now is probably quantum computing which has the potential to change a lot of things should more complex types of devices continue to be made (right now it stands are many of the basic building blocks of computing but getting them all in a line is proving to be quite difficult), quantum communication is another (it already being developed enough to have caused some fair contention at times). I am not entirely sure what they are calling long range here; one would be arbitrarily long (think phone call long) and another would be more than close enough to reach over and punch someone but still long on an atomic scale (with applications in things like not needing to run wires past your well shielded whatever).


@plasma dragon007 given that it might crack the space issue necessary for storing fully holographic porn you should probably be more excited.

 

[Bladexdsl]

In the case of quantum spin liquids, the material is a solid crystal — but the internal magnetic state is constantly in flux

crytal storage just like in stargate?!

 

[Vulpes Abnocto]

This may help to explain just what quantum entanglement is, how long we've been studying it, and how far it has come.

 

[MegaBassBX]

Quantum Physics is becoming an important field , I just can't wait to see the next revolution in Technology because of this.

Guys did you know that there is a Quantum Computer on the market today go search D-wave and see its really cool

 

[Janthran]

That's cool, but such a stupid name. "Quantum spin liquid".. If this is going to go up with solid and liquid, it needs to not be called liquid itself.

 

[shakirmoledina]

I still think we should use DNA for storage

 

[Bladexdsl]

I still think we should use DNA for storage

but all someone has to do is cut you to steal everything like in enterprise ep 2

 

[Janthran]

but all someone has to do is cut you to steal everything like in enterprise ep 2

It wouldn't be the DNA that you're using on your body. It would be DNA that you grow specifically for that purpose.

 

[shakirmoledina]

Megaupload coming back on DNA!

 

[MegaBassBX]

That's cool, but such a stupid name. "Quantum spin liquid".. If this is going to go up with solid and liquid, it needs to not be called liquid itself.

No no its the surface of the drive that needs this liquid if you open a HDD you will see a shiny mirror like disk it will be coated with the new magnetic liquid , so the old one was a magnetic liquid to ,then they apply it on the surface of the disk , this one will do a better job than the old one.

 

[The Catboy]

I just want to mention, getting a little hometown pride here since I am from Massachusetts.
Also get interesting news indeed.

 

[Engert]

I just want to mention, getting a little hometown pride here since I am from Massachusetts.
Also get interesting news indeed.

You a masshole too? Nice nice. MIT's nice but those fucking harvard boys are god damn ridiculous.

http://www.masshole.com/driving.html