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First quantum effects "seen" in visible object (newscientist.com)
6 points by recampbell on March 18, 2010 | hide | past | favorite | 2 comments



Sure, you can see the object, but the effects only last 17 nanoseconds (expected to be 100 nanoseconds eventually), so you still can't see the quantum effect. Props to the researchers on making such a large object dance to quantum mechanics, but the headline still manages to make the breakthrough disappointing.


If by "effect" you mean a superposition of quantum states, then it doesn't matter how long it lasts, you still cannot "see" it. Once you make the observation, you will see just one of the states. The distribution of results from repeated observations is the quantum mechanical effect you can see.




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