News: Quantum

Read the latest news from the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

Research

Physicists Discover Long-Predicted ‘Clock Magnetism’ in an Atomically Thin Crystal

Observation of BKT and six-state clock phases reveals how magnetism behaves in two dimensions and may inspire ultracompact technologies.

A grid of dots represents atoms arranged in a thin sheet. Within this grid are two swirling features, one blue and the other orange.

Research

Superfluids are Supposed to Flow Indefinitely. Physicists Just Watched One Stop Moving.

Researchers may have glimpsed a supersolid, an enigmatic quantum version of a classical solid.

An artist's illustration shows two thin layers of material stacked one on top of the other, each with an array of atoms represented by dots. The top layer's dots are blue, the bottom layer's dots are read.

Accolades

Allan MacDonald Wins Frontiers of Knowledge Award

The UT Austin physicist was one of two scientists to win the international prize in the category of basic sciences.

A man in a collared shirt and glasses smiles, standing before a chalkboard with equations.

Texas Quantum Institute

Quantum Leap for STEM Graduate Training at UT

A new initiative will prepare graduate students in the rapidly evolving field of quantum science and technology.

Illustration shows how atom-thin materials enable control of individual photons of light

Research

UT Scientists Spied a Skyrmion. What is That?

This, and six other questions about a recent first in physics, answered.

A 3D vector field plot illustrating the direction and magnitude of vectors in a plane. Arrows are color-coded: blue arrows point towards a spot below the left side, red arrows point towards a point above the right side, and green arrows indicate intermediate directions and magnitudes.

Research

Researchers Achieve Quantum Computing Milestone, Realizing Certified Randomness

A team including Scott Aaronson demonstrated what may be the first practical application of quantum computers to a real world problem.

An arc of green orbs floats above a golden surface

Features

Quantum Science and Technology Turn 100

The College of Natural Sciences is celebrating a century of quantum science and technology.

Illustration shows a group of atoms with arrows indicating the directions of their electron spins

Accolades

Chelikowsky Receives 2025 Hill Prize in Physical Sciences

Three UT Austin scientists and engineers received high-risk high-reward awards this year from TAMEST.

A man in a suit and glasses smiles for the camera and graphic elements of limestone and burnt orange frame his face

Announcements

Gift From Love, Tito’s Helps Build Instrument To Track Ultrafast Electrons in Nanomaterials

The new instrument could lead to better materials for quantum computers and solar cells.

Two people with large scissors cut the cords on a pair of black drapes, revealing a new sign over the entrance to a lab. The sign reads: "Love, Tito’s Quantum Materials Characterization Laboratory."

Research

Paving the Way to Extremely Fast, Compact Computer Memory

Materials with high magnetoelectric coupling could be useful in novel devices such as magnetic computer memories, chemical sensors and quantum computers.

Illustration showing two corkscrew-shaped lines twisting in opposite directions, rising up out of a layer of small spheres that represent atoms, each with an arrow pointing in the direction of a feature called its magnetic moment