Stanford physicists directly observe quantum jumps of sound
A Stanford-led team recorded energy changes in a mechanical resonator, tracking them hundreds of times within milliseconds. Amir Safavi-Naeini, the team's leader, published the work in Science.
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What happened
Stanford physicists, led by Amir Safavi-Naeini, have recorded what they describe as the first direct observation of quantum jumps of sound in a mechanical resonator. They tracked tiny energy changes hundreds of times in milliseconds. The findings were published in the journal Science.
Timeline
- Sep 17, 2026: The Stanford team published its findings in the journal Science.
- Oct 13, 4:00 PM ET: Coverage reported that physicists had finally observed the energy ladder at quantum tipping points, which the researchers called a beautiful confirmation of predictions.
Coverage
- Scientists observed a quantum jump in sound in real time by tracking tiny energy changes hundreds of times in milliseconds (Times of India)
- After 40 Years, Physicists Finally Observe The 'Energy Ladder' at Quantum Tipping Points (Yahoo News)
- Physicists Built a Black Hole in a Lab. Then It Swallowed Sound. (sciencealert.com)
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