Shimadzu, in collaboration with Professor Shigeki Takeuchi and his research group at the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, will exhibit concept models of future sensing technologies based on quantum infrared spectroscopy at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Expo 2025) exhibition entitled “The Wonderful Nature of Photons and Photonic Quantum Sensing,” part of “Entangle Moment: [Quantum, Earth and Universe] × Art” (Sponsor: Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). The exhibition will take place from August 14 to August 20. The amazing photon-related phenomena that can be experienced at the venue are explained by Mitsuko, an original character based on Mitsuko Namino, who first appeared in “The Trial of the Photon*1,” an essay written by Professor Shinichiro Tomonaga.
Mitsuko, a character in the exhibit
This will be the first public exhibition of its kind in Japan, allowing visitors to experience the mysterious world of quantum entanglement*2 through the hands-on operation of three devices that use quantum entangled photon pairs. The exhibition focuses on the behavior of individual quantum particles, such as electrons and photons, and on quantum technology, which exceeds the limits of conventional technology by controlling the relationship between multiple quantum particles (quantum entanglement). Since 2018, Shimadzu has worked with Professor Takeuchi and his group on “research on quantum sensing devices using quantum entangled photons” under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Quantum Leap Flagship Program (MEXT Q-LEAP). This research uses quantum interference in the generation of quantum entangled photon pairs to perform quantum infrared absorption spectroscopy in the infrared region with just a visible light source and a detector. The practical adoption of this technology will allow the differentiation and identification of a variety of substances by compact and high-performance quantum infrared spectrometers for medical, security, and environmental applications. Shimadzu’s principal role is the fabrication of optical elements used to generate entangled photon pairs in visible and infrared light regions from light sources.
- *1:This essay was written by Professor Shinichiro Tomonaga in 1949. In this courtroom drama, the assertion of the defendant, Mitsuko Namino, that she was seen through two windows simultaneously is verified using quantum mechanics. It has been listed in many publications, including “The Quantum Mechanical World” (Misuzu Shobo, Ltd.)
- *2:When there are two or more correlated states in quantum superposition between two different systems (i.e., multiple quantum states are simultaneously possible).
Structure of the Exhibit
Zone 1 Prologue
In a video, Mitsuko sets the stage by describing the photon as the smallest unit of light. The features of such photons are introduced, as is the notion of entangled light.
Zone 2 Experiment! The Strange World of Twin Photons
The exhibit presents three cutting-edge experimental instruments created by researchers at Kyoto University, illustrating photonic quantum entanglement. They allow visitors to the exhibit to experience these strange phenomena for themselves.
Instrument 1: Quantum Entanglement Generator
How Twin Photons are Created: The Origin of Quantum Entangled Light
Quantum entangled light is actually produced, and a video of the quantum entangled light produced at this venue is displayed.
Instrument 2: Demonstration of Two-Photon Quantum Interference
Identical Twin Photons, Where did they Go after Meeting and Passing By?
The “Two-Photon Quantum Interference” Experiment
In the world of quantum mechanics, interference occurs between multiple physical processes. As a result, phenomena that should occur naturally no longer occur. Visitors can run an experiment in which photon pairs are incident on a semi-transparent mirror.
Instrument 3: Demonstration of the Violation of Bell’s Inequality
Photons that Stay Related Even when Separated by a Great Distance: Actual Verification of the Violation of Bell’s Inequality
Everyday physical phenomena are determined only by the state of things locally, at a particular place (local realism), but this is not true in the quantum world. This was demonstrated in an experiment on the “Violation of Bell's Inequality,” which won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics. Visitors can run this experiment for themselves with this experimental instrument, which uses quantum-entangled photon pairs.
Zone 3 Let's move on! A Future Changed by Photon Pairs
This hands-on exhibit describes photonic quantum sensing technology, which uses quantum entangled light to exceed the limitations of conventional technology. It presents an idea of how our everyday world might change as a result.
Optical Coherence Tomograph (Exhibited with the cooperation of Santec Holdings)
Visitors can observe the inner structure of a finger by inserting it into the analyzer.
Quantum Optical Coherence Tomography (Q-OCT)The significant improvement in resolution via Q-OCT, which uses quantum entangled light, is described through an explanatory video and measurement data.
Quantum Infrared Spectrometer (Exhibited by Shimadzu Corporation)
This exhibit allows visitors to identify the molecules in various samples using an infrared spectrometer. The significant miniaturization that becomes possible in quantum infrared spectrometry using quantum entangled light is explained using a video and a concept model illustrating the instruments of the future.
Epilogue: The Future of Photonic Quantum Sensing
This exhibit looks at the relationship between the development of quantum mechanics and Kyoto University through a chronology starting in 1900. At the same time, it describes photonic quantum sensing technology, which uses quantum entangled light, as well as its ripple effect on society. Initiatives by the Photonic Quantum Sensing Social Implementation Consortium, which was inaugurated by Kyoto University, are also introduced.
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