The theory of the speed of light proposed by world-renowned physicists Albert Einstein is now being challenged by a group of Dutch researchers.
The quantum theory, which Einstein is not a big fan has not gained the support of researchers from the Delft University of Technology, saying that objects have certain effects on one another regardless of its distance between.
New evidence against Einstein's theory
In a new study, the authors demonstrated that the electrons contained in two separate diamonds with a distance of 1.3 kilometers have an imperceptible and rapid link, through the emission of photons of both diamonds. They performed the experiment over 200 times within 18 days and found that Einstein's theory was not exactly accurate.
"We have two labs, one in the physics building and one on the other end of the campus in the Reactor Institute," said Bas Hensen, lead author of the study and doctoral student at the university. He further explained that the big distance between the objects guarantees that neither the detectors nor the electrons can interrelate with one another within the period with which the measurement is being taken, banishing the locality loophole.
Hensen also said that their team was also able to close the detection loophole as their work involved measuring all the intertwined pairs.
Looking back at the journey of Einstein's theory
In 1905, Einstein proposed the theory of motion relativity, particularly the motion of any object moving at or near the speed of light. During that time, people believed that light waves had to travel through a channel, just like sound, ocean or shock waves. They thought that medium is ether, which is a universal substance that is less tangible than air.
In 1935, Einstein, together with fellow physicists Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen wrote a famous paper that said that quantum mechanics had evidenced-based strong points however, due to its bizarre idea of convolution; it could not be considered a complete theory. They said that there are some hidden variables yet undiscovered and if those factors are found, then the spooky ghostly influence may be refuted.
Closing all the loopholes
In the new study, however, the particles in space were found to really be intertwined and that it can influence each other regardless of the amount of distance present in between.
Numerous scientists have been trying to close the loopholes of the theory and with modern technologies emerging; these loopholes have been resolved separately. Now, a group of experts were finally able to solve all the loopholes at the same time.
"This is the first time all loopholes are closed at the same time in a single experiment, and we still find that the invisible bond between the electrons is there: the first loophole-free Bell test," said Hensen.
The study was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Photo: Clinton Steeds | Flickr
