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In a paradigm-shifting revelation, scientists at Heriot-Watt University have conducted experiments suggesting that two conflicting versions of reality can coexist simultaneously within the realm of quantum mechanics. This study challenges fundamental concepts in physics and raises questions about the existence of an objective reality.
The research delves into “Wigner’s friend,” a theoretical construct proposed by Nobel laureate Eugene Wigner in 1961. This concept revolves around a photon existing in a superposition, where its polarization is both vertical and horizontal until measured. This theoretical dilemma becomes the focal point for the experimental exploration.
The physicists at Heriot-Watt University successfully translated Wigner’s thought experiment into reality using real photons and advanced measuring equipment. The results confirmed that the contradictory realities proposed by Wigner were indeed plausible, marking a significant leap from theory to experimental validation.
The implications of this study extend beyond the confines of the laboratory, prompting unsettling questions for physicists regarding the nature of reality itself. Quantum mechanics, designed to describe the subatomic world where conventional physics rules break down, faces a paradox where measurements may not be considered absolute truth.
The research delves into “Wigner’s friend,” a theoretical construct proposed by Nobel laureate Eugene Wigner in 1961. This concept revolves around a photon existing in a superposition, where its polarization is both vertical and horizontal until measured. This theoretical dilemma becomes the focal point for the experimental exploration.
The physicists at Heriot-Watt University successfully translated Wigner’s thought experiment into reality using real photons and advanced measuring equipment. The results confirmed that the contradictory realities proposed by Wigner were indeed plausible, marking a significant leap from theory to experimental validation.
The implications of this study extend beyond the confines of the laboratory, prompting unsettling questions for physicists regarding the nature of reality itself. Quantum mechanics, designed to describe the subatomic world where conventional physics rules break down, faces a paradox where measurements may not be considered absolute truth.
Two Contradictory Versions of Reality Exist Simultaneously in Quantum Experiment
The research, conducted by a British team at Heriot-Watt University, puts to the test a theoretical physics question known as "Wigner’s friend."
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