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Categories: Computer Science: Quantum Computers, Space: The Solar System
Published Mimas' surprise: Tiny moon of Saturn holds young ocean beneath icy shell



Saturn's moon Mimas harbors a global ocean beneath its icy shell, discovered through analysis of its orbit by Cassini spacecraft data. This ocean formed just 5-15 million years ago, making Mimas a prime candidate for studying early ocean formation and potential for life. This discovery suggests life-essential conditions might exist on seemingly inactive moons, expanding our search for life beyond Earth.
Published Newly discovered carbon monoxide-runaway gap can help identify habitable exoplanets



A carbon monoxide (CO)-runaway gap identified in the atmospheres of Earth-like planets can help expand the search for habitable planets. This gap, identified through atmospheric modeling, is an indicator of a CO-rich atmosphere on Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars. CO is an important compound for the formation of prebiotic organic compounds, which are building blocks for more complex molecules for the formation of life.
Published Understanding the moon's history with Chang'e-5 sample



China's Chang'e-5, the first lunar sample return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976, delivered 1.73 kilograms of regolith from the Oceanus Procellarum, a plane named for its vast size. The sample landed with CE-5 in late 2020 and included a new mineral, Changesite-(Y), as well as a perplexing combination of silica minerals. Researchers now compare CE-5's material composition to other lunar and Martian regolith samples and examine potential causes and origins for the lunar sample's unique makeup.
Published Direct view of tantalum oxidation that impedes qubit coherence



Scientists have used a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and computational modeling to get a closer look and deeper understanding of tantalum oxide. When this amorphous oxide layer forms on the surface of tantalum -- a superconductor that shows great promise for making the 'qubit' building blocks of a quantum computer -- it can impede the material's ability to retain quantum information. Learning how the oxide forms may offer clues as to why this happens -- and potentially point to ways to prevent quantum coherence loss.
Published Magnesium protects tantalum, a promising material for making qubits



Scientists have discovered that adding a layer of magnesium improves the properties of tantalum, a superconducting material that shows great promise for building qubits, the basis of quantum computers. The scientists show that a thin layer of magnesium keeps tantalum from oxidizing, improves its purity, and raises the temperature at which it operates as a superconductor. All three may increase tantalum's ability to hold onto quantum information in qubits.
Published A physical qubit with built-in error correction



Researchers have succeeded in generating a logical qubit from a single light pulse that has the inherent capacity to correct errors.
Published Neptune-like exoplanets can be cloudy or clear



Astronomers have shown new atmospheric detail in a set of 15 exoplanets similar to Neptune. While none could support humanity, a better understanding of their behavior might help us to understand why we don't have a small Neptune, while most solar systems seem to feature a planet of this class.
Published Gas on the run -- ALMA spots the shadow of a molecular outflow from a quasar when the Universe was less than one billion years old



Theoretical predictions have been confirmed with the discovery of an outflow of molecular gas from a quasar when the Universe was less than a billion years old.
Published Scientists make breakthrough in quantum materials research



Researchers describe the discovery of a new method that transforms everyday materials like glass into materials scientists can use to make quantum computers.
Published The hottest catalog of the year: Comprehensive list of slow-building solar flares



Although solar flares have been classified based on the amount of energy they emit at their peak, there has not been significant study into differentiating flares since slow-building flares were first discovered in the 1980s. Scientists have now shown that there is a significant amount of slower-type flares worthy of further investigation.
Published Scientists pull off quantum coup



Scientists have discovered a first-of-its-kind material, a 3D crystalline metal in which quantum correlations and the geometry of the crystal structure combine to frustrate the movement of electrons and lock them in place.
Published Researchers spying for signs of life among exoplanet atmospheres



The next generation of advanced telescopes could sharpen the hunt for potential extraterrestrial life by closely scrutinizing the atmospheres of nearby exoplanets, new research suggests.
Published Cosmic building blocks of life discovered through the electron microscope



Meteorites are fragments of asteroids which find their way to Earth as shooting stars and provide information on the origins of our solar system. A team of researchers has examined the so-called Winchcombe meteorite and demonstrated the existence in it of nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and heterocyclic hydrocarbons -- without applying any chemical treatment and by using a new type of detector design.
Published Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars builds excitement for Perseverance rover's samples



Ground-penetrating radar on board NASA's Mars Perseverance rover has confirmed that the Jezero Crater, formed by an ancient meteor impact just north of the Martian equator, once harbored a vast lake and river delta. Over eons, sediment deposition and erosion within the crater shaped the geologic formations visible on the surface today. The discovery of lake sediments reinforces the hope that traces of life might be found in soil and rock samples collected by Perseverance.
Published Astronomers unravel mysteries of planet formation and evolution in distant planetary system



TOI-1136, a dwarf star located more than 270 light years from Earth, is host to six confirmed exoplanets and a seventh as yet unconfirmed candidate. The system has provided a rich source of information on planet formation and evolution in a young solar system. Researchers used a variety of tools to compile radial velocity and transit timing variation readings to derive highly precise measurements of the exoplants' masses, orbital information and atmospheres.
Published Quantum infrared spectroscopy: Lights, detector, action!



Researchers have incorporated an innovative ultra-broadband, quantum-entangled light source that generates a relatively wide range of infrared photons with wavelengths between 2 m and 5 m for dramatically downsizing the infrared spectroscopy system and upgrading its sensitivity. It can obtain spectra for various target samples, including hard solids, plastics, and organic solutions. This new technique uses the unique properties of quantum mechanics -- such as superposition and entanglement -- to overcome the limitations of conventional techniques.
Published Shining a light on the hidden properties of quantum materials



Certain materials have desirable properties that are hidden and scientists can use light to uncover these properties. Researchers have used an advanced optical technique, based on terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, to learn more about a quantum material called Ta2NiSe5 (TNS).
Published Researchers add a 'twist' to classical material design



Researchers grew a twisted multilayer crystal structure for the first time and measured the structure's key properties. The twisted structure could help researchers develop next-generation materials for solar cells, quantum computers, lasers and other devices.
Published Misinformation and irresponsible AI -- experts forecast how technology may shape our near future



From misinformation and invisible cyber attacks, to irresponsible AI that could cause events involving multiple deaths, expert futurists have forecast how rapid technology changes may shape our world by 2040.
Published What coffee with cream can teach us about quantum physics



A new advancement in theoretical physics could, one day, help engineers develop new kinds of computer chips that might store information for longer in very small objects.