Quantum Levitation and Quantum Locking

Introduction

• Quantum Levitation and Quantum Locking: Phenomena demonstrated using superconductors.
• Superconductor: A material exhibiting superconductivity, a quantum state occurring below a certain critical temperature.
• Historical Context: Discovered over 100 years ago; recent technological advancements have made demonstrations possible.

Properties of Superconductors

• Two Key Properties:
  1. Zero Electrical Resistance:
     • Electricity flows without energy loss due to collisions with atoms, resulting in no heat dissipation.
  2. Expulsion of Magnetic Field:
     • Superconductors expel magnetic fields from their interior and can circulate currents to achieve this.

Behavior in Magnetic Fields

• Strands of Magnetic Field:
  • Sometimes magnetic fields remain inside superconductors and can get trapped under specific conditions, behaving like discrete quantum particles.
  • These strands, known as fluxons, are locked in place to prevent energy dissipation, resulting in quantum locking.

Demonstration of Quantum Locking

• Superconducting Disk: Wrapped to stay cold for demonstration.
• Example Demonstration: When placed above a magnet, the superconductor maintains its position (locked in mid-air), illustrating quantum locking.
• Rearranging Fluxons: Fluxon configurations can be adjusted, allowing the superconductor to maintain its locked state even when rotated.
  • Frictionless Motion: The superconductor can rotate freely while still being locked above the magnet.

Scale of Fluxons

• Number of Fluxons: A single 3-inch disk can contain around 100 billion strands of magnetic field.
• Weight Capacity: This disk, only half a micron thick, can levitate over 70,000 times its own weight.

Applications of Superconductors

• Current Transfer: Superconductors can transfer large amounts of current, useful for:
  • MRI machines
  • Particle accelerators
• Energy Storage: Due to no energy dissipation, superconductors can store energy efficiently.
• Power Cables: Potential for superconducting cables to connect power stations, allowing significant current transfer.

Future of Quantum Levitation and Quantum Locking

• Hypothetical Scenario: A disk with a 2-millimeter thick superconducting layer could theoretically support 1,000 kilograms (the weight of a small car).

Conclusion

• Quantum levitation and locking hold promise for future applications, with significant implications for technology and energy transfer.