Physicists invent flux capacitor, break time-reversal symmetry

24 May 2018 Tara Roberson

In the popular movie franchise “Back to the Future”, an eccentric scientist creates a time machine that runs on a flux capacitor.

Now a group of actual physicists from Australia and Switzerland have proposed a device which uses the quantum tunneling of magnetic flux around a capacitor which they say can break time-reversal symmetry. 

The research, published this week in Physical Review Letters, proposes a new generation of electronic circulators, which are devices that control the direction in which microwave signals move.

It represents a collaboration between two Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence: the Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and the Centre for Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET).

FLEET Associate Investigator Professor Jared Cole said that the device proposed in the research is built from a superconductor, in which electricity can flow without electrical resistance. 

Professor Cole added, “We propose two different possible circuits, one of which resembles the iconic three-pointed-star design of the cinematic flux capacitor.

In it, quantum “tubes” of magnetic flux can move around a central capacitor by a process known as quantum tunneling, where they overcome classically insurmountable obstacles.” 

The combination of magnetic fields and electric charges leads to what the physicists call broken time-reversal symmetry. 

EQUS Chief Investigator Professor Tom Stace said that unfortunately this effect does not allow us to travel back in time. 

Professor Stace said, “Instead, it means that signals circulatearound the circuit in only one direction, much like cars on a roundabout.” 

Such a device can be used for example to isolate parts of an experimental apparatus from each other, which is crucial when the individual parts are extremely sensitive quantum systems. 

Lead author Dr Clemens Mueller said this device is a crucial component for next generation technologies, including the long sought-after quantum computer. 

Dr Mueller said, “Our research makes an important step towards scaling up this technology, where researchers need to precisely direct control and measurement signals around a quantum computer.”  

In the nearer term, the research could find application in developing better electronics for mobile phone and wifi antennas and improving radar.  

The two participating Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence form part of Australia’s significant strength in quantum research.

At the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) researchers are building quantum machines that harness the full spectrum of quantum physics.

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET) is developing a new generation of ultra-low-energy electronics to address the increasing challenge of energy use in computation.

As well as researchers from EQUS and FLEET, the research represents a collaboration between RMIT University, the University of Queensland, and the Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich. Computational resources were provided by Australia’s NCI National Facility.

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The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.