Summary
It is unknown whether biological processes make direct use of quantum effects, as opposed to depending merely on the influence of quantum physics on chemical bonding and molecular structure. We are testing the hypothesis that entangled pairs of phosphorus-31 atoms may link the function of remotely located neurons within the vertebrate brain. Using a rat brain model and an array of instruments and techniques, we are exploring the possibility that dissociation of pyrophosphate molecules sends entangled 31P atoms into separate neurons with physiologic consequences. We are also investigating whether there are systematic differences in neuronal action potential when we subject the neuronal tissue to different isotopes of lithium. If we can show that remotely entangled atoms link the functions of separate neurons, this may provide insight into a range of biological mysteries, such as olfaction, magneto-navigation by the European Robin, and the actions of lithium in treating mood disorders.
Related Content
Folk Understanding of Quantum Physics
Summary It is often said that quantum concepts are counterintuitive. However, quantum concepts may not be equally counterintuitive to people from all cultural backgrounds. As cultural psychologists have discovered, culture fundamentally shapes the way people make sense of the world. In particular, the last few decades of research have documented cultural differences in appreciation of […]
March 24, 2021
Novel High-Speed Receiver for Quantum Communication and Sensing
Summary An essential aspect of a quantum channel is the detection and analysis of quantum signals in the form of photons. For most free-space applications, the photons are polarization encoded, e.g. by assigning the ‘0’ to horizontally polarized photons and ‘1’ to vertically polarized photons. However, where the geometric reference is not constant at all […]
January 1, 2019
Quantum Dynamics of Cavity Interactions with Spin Ensembles
Summary High quality factor cavities can be powerful control elements for ensembles of spins, enabling unitary control as well as on demand cooling. They can also be used to couple two otherwise non-interacting ensembles. The goal of the project is to explore the physics and engineering of such systems both theoretically and experimentally. The laboratory contains a […]
September 7, 2016
Quantum Information Processing with Molecular Lattices
The aim of the work is to develop theoretical tools to simulate and predict the behaviour of a one-dimensional chain of trapped dipolar molecules and to study the nature of entanglement as a design resource.
June 1, 2017