The Quantum Age - From Bell Pairs to Quantum Computers

Explore the fascinating world of quantum mechanics in this Stanford Physics colloquium talk by MIT physicist Vladan Vuletić. Delve into the two fundamental mysteries of quantum mechanics: the double-slit experiment and quantum entanglement. Learn about Einstein's criticism of entanglement as "spooky action at a distance" and how it has become an essential part of our understanding of the physical world. Discover the significance of Bell inequalities in experimentally distinguishing local hidden variable theories from quantum physics. Examine the recent advancements in controlling individual neutral atoms and inducing controlled interactions between them. Gain insights into the creation of highly entangled states of many particles, breaking limits for quantum sensors, and studying quantum phase transitions. Explore results from quantum simulations using atomic arrays containing over 250 atoms. Finally, consider the prospects for near- and medium-term neutral-atom quantum computers with full quantum error correction in this hour-long presentation that bridges the gap from fundamental quantum concepts to cutting-edge quantum computing technologies.