Researchers worldwide are on the hunt to capture coherence, a unique and powerful feature of quantum mechanics in which individual particles like electrons or packets of light called photons sync up and behave as a larger whole. But observing such particles as they pair has been no easy feat with conventional microscopes based on classical physics principles. A quantum nano-scope is needed, and Columbia is preparing to build it.
With the support of a new $1 million Major Research Instrumentation Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), a team led by Higgins Professor of Physics Dmitri Basov will develop a quantum scattering near-field optical microscope, which will allow researchers to observe single photons and photon pairs that give rise to quantum coherence.
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