We’ve been asking ourselves how would it be to go back in time and change our past. Is it possible? What if I told you that you can travel through time? Check out the latest reports that will blow your mind!
Time travel – a possibility?
The University of Cambridge researchers have demonstrated that entanglement, a crucial concept in quantum mechanics, can be used to simulate time travel. Quantum entanglement is a fascinating phenomenon where two or more particles become correlated in such a way that the state of one particle cannot be described independently of the state of the others, even when they are separated by large distances.
This means that the properties of one particle, such as its spin or polarization, are dependent on the properties of the other particle(s).
“Imagine that you want to send a gift to someone: you need to send it on day one to make sure it arrives on day three,” said lead author David Arvidsson-Shukur, from the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory.
“However, you only receive that person’s wish list on day two. So, in this chronology-respecting scenario, it’s impossible for you to know in advance what they will want as a gift and to make sure you send the right one.
“Now imagine you can change what you send on day one with the information from the wish list received on day two. Our simulation uses quantum entanglement manipulation to show how you could retroactively change your previous actions to ensure the final outcome is the one you want.”
Entanglement is a fascinating phenomenon in quantum physics. It allows changes made in one particle’s state to instantly reflect in another particle’s state, regardless of their physical proximity.
This concept is often referred to as “spooky action at a distance,” a phrase first used by Albert Einstein to describe this phenomenon. Interestingly, entangled particles can still interact with each other even when they are separated, leading to the possibility of time travel using quantum physics.
A recent proposal by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland involves entangling two particles.
The first particle is used in an experiment and acquires new information, which the experimentalist can then use to manipulate the second particle.
This manipulation effectively alters the first particle’s past state, which in turn changes the outcome of the experiment, linking the past to the present.
Linking quantum metrology
The theorists connected quantum metrology to their model to make it more relevant to technology. A typical experiment in quantum metrology involves shining photons onto an object of interest and then capturing them with a unique type of camera.
For this experiment to be effective, the photons must be prepared in a particular way before they reach the sample.
The researchers showed that if they find the optimal way to prepare the photons after they have already reached the sample, they can still use simulations of time travel to modify the original photons.
“We are not proposing a time travel machine, but rather a deep dive into the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. These simulations do not allow you to go back and alter your past, but they do allow you to create a better tomorrow by fixing yesterday’s problems today,” said Arvidsson-Shukur.
