The anomalous magnetic moment of the electron is of great significance in the study of elementary particles and quantum electrodynamics. The history of its discovery is in large part the story of a technique—the use of molecular beams—which was not invented for the specific purpose but which did, by permitting a discrepancy to appear where none was expected, answer an unasked question.
Inside certain quantum systems, where randomness was thought to lurk, researchers—after a 40-year journey—have found order and unique wave patterns that stubbornly survive.
Although motivated by the fundamental exploration of the weirdness of the quantum world, the prizewinning experiments have led to a promising branch of quantum computing technology.
The authors of a new book tell the stories of 16 women who made crucial contributions to quantum physics yet whose names don’t usually appear in textbooks.
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics in 2025 without providing appropriate context risks reinforcing a long legacy of hagiography and hero worship.
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