We already know how long it takes for quantum entanglement to occur.

In the exotic world of quantum physics, there are perhaps few phenomena stranger than entanglement. This quantum mechanism has no equivalent in classical physics and consists of the states of the quantum systems involved, of which there may be two or more. it’s the same. This means that these objects are actually part of the same system, even if they are physically separate. In reality, distance doesn’t matter.

If two particles, objects or systems are entangled as a result of this quantum phenomenon, when we measure the physical properties of one of them, we instantly condition the physical properties of the other system with which it is entangled. Even if he is on the other side of the Universe.

It sounds like science fiction, it’s true, but no matter how strange and amazing this phenomenon may seem to us, it is empirically confirmed. In fact, this, along with superposition of states, is one of the fundamental principles of quantum computing. Yes, without quantum entanglement there would be no prototype quantum computers made by IBM, Google, Honeywell or IonQ, among many other companies. It is for this reason that physicists are seeking to better understand the characteristics of this very strange quantum phenomenon.

It seems instant, but it’s not.

For several years now, scientists have been able to arbitrarily establish quantum entanglement between two or more particles, although this remains a very complex and constantly evolving experimental scenario. If you think about it, it is very shocking that people have managed to control to a certain extent such an exotic quantum mechanism, which is, in principle, alien to our intuition. But yes, using photons, trapped ions, or superconducting qubits driven by microwave pulses, among other options, it is possible to induce entanglement.

This quantum mechanism is usually described as an instantaneous phenomenon. In fact, I did this myself a few lines above. However, this is not true. And we know this because several research groups from Austria and China have worked together to develop simulation software that can emulate ultra-fast processes which take place in the context of quantum mechanics. Including, of course, interlacing. They published the results of their research in an interesting article, which can be found in the journal Physical Review Letters.

What’s really important for these physicists is not only to measure the time it takes to establish quantum entanglement between two or more particles or systems; His research also aims to better understand how this mechanism develops and what physical effects are critical on extremely short time scales. However, the experiment they designed led them to the conclusion that entanglement between two electrons takes an average of 232 attoseconds to bind. This is such a short period of time that it is difficult to imagine. In fact, an attosecond is equivalent to one trillionth of a second (10⁻¹⁸ seconds). That’s where it is.

Image | CERN

Additional information | Physical Review Letters

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