In a groundbreaking achievement, an international research team led by Chinese scientists has unveiled the first experimental evidence of a graviton-like particle, known as chiral graviton modes (CGMs). Their findings were published in the esteemed scientific journal Nature on Thursday.
Gravitons are hypothetical elementary particles that have long been theorized in the realm of quantum gravity. The discovery of CGMs could bridge critical gaps between quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of general relativity, offering a significant leap forward in modern physics.
Du Lingjie, the team leader and a professor at the School of Physics at Nanjing University in China's Jiangsu Province, emphasized the importance of their work. \"Studying graviton-like particles like CGMs allows us to explore graviton physics in a new way,\" Du explained.
The research is grounded in theories suggesting the existence of graviton modes under fractional quantum Hall states in condensed matter systems, which exhibit properties similar to those of gravitons. The team embarked on their experimental program five years ago, dedicating over three years to designing and assembling specialized equipment capable of operating under extremely low temperatures and strong magnetic fields.
Looking ahead, Du and his team are optimistic about making further discoveries in quantum physics using their advanced experimental setup, paving the way for future advancements in the field.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
