Scientists capture an image of quantum entanglement for the first time ever

Quantum entanglement is where two objects become intertwined and stay regardless of what the distance is between them. This is actually a tricky phenomenon to study let alone photograph. But scientists have now managed to capture the phenomenon for the very first time.

This particular phenomenon is described as the ‘spooky action at a distance’ by Albert Einstein. Today we know quantum entanglement as when a pair of particles that cross paths and interact with each other can become connected and stay that way, even when spaced very far apart. Once they are intertwined in this way, changes to one particle can immediately shape the other. This is an odd scientific phenomenon that has been proven through experiments with atoms and molecules. More recently, it has been proven through entangled objects of even larger scales.

In practical terms, quantum entanglement is considered to be a key part of quantum mechanics which is known to form the basis for fields such as quantum computing and cryptography. Therefore, there is considerable interest in advancing our understanding of it. Scientists at the University at Glasgow have undertaken a study, a form of quantum entanglement known as bell entanglement, described by late physicist John Stewart Bell in the 1960s.

The scientist set-up an experiment where a stream of entangled photons or light particles were fired at non-conventional objects atop liquid-crystal materials. This changed the phase of the photons as they passed through it. With the help of a super-sensitive camera at the ready, the scientists were able to capture the entanglement in action. This is the very first time that the phenomenon was captured. This photo is the evidence of this long-studied scientific enigma.

Dr. Paul-Antoine Moreau, lead author of the research said:

“The image we’ve managed to capture is an elegant demonstration of a fundamental property of nature, seen for the very first time in the form of an image. It’s an exciting result which could be used to advance the enraging field of quantum and lead to new types of imaging.”