Einstein’s theory on locality has been proven wrong. Quantum physicists at the TU Delft have announced that so called ‘entanglement’ of particles at a large distance exists. This has been one of the most fundamental claims of quantum theory — that objects separated by great distance can instantaneously affect each other’s behavior, without being physically connected by another medium. But until last week, it has never been proven.

Studio KNOL has had the honor of being part of this process throughout the last year. We were in contact with the quantum research team in Delft and have watched the experiment slowly getting closer to its completion. During this exciting time we have spun off our own experiment, inspired on theirs. By means of an art installation, we have caught the essence of the complex matter that stays so intangible to non-scientists.

The scientists have managed to create entanglement over a distance of 1.3 kilometers by setting up two identical labs. In these labs, tiny invisible electrons are caught in self-fabricated diamonds. These electrons were correlated by photon beams to create entanglement.

“Entanglement is arguably the most intriguing consequence of the laws of quantum mechanics. When two particles become entangled, their identities merge: their collective state is precisely determined but the individual identity of each of the particles has disappeared. The entangled particles behave as one, even when separated by a large distance. Einstein doubted this prediction, which he called ‘spooky action at a distance’, but experiments have proven its existence.” – TU Delft.

The fact that this theory has now been solidified, will mean an enormous and yet unpredictable impact on the world and it’s (data) traffic. Information will be available at two separate locations at exactly the same time, it will not have to travel through for example fibreglass cable. This also means that it can not be intercepted anymore (think safety!) and that it is faster that the speed of light. This is what’s called teleportation.

The results of the quantum experiment have been published all around the world. Read here the article in the New York Times.

In collaboration with:
the team of Prof. Ronald Hanson | quantum physicists
Floor van Doremalen | material design
Lion Zeegers | spatial design + communication
Noortje van den Eijnde | visual animation + audio
Sjoerd ter Borg | initiator
Jeffry Hans Bakker | film and photography

The project is made possible by Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie