An engineer from the University of Colorado Denver is making strides towards introducing a revolutionary tool for scientists, which could potentially transform sci-fi dreams into reality.
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Picture a safe gamma-ray laser that could target cancer cells, leaving surrounding healthy tissue untouched. Or just imagine having a way to validate Stephen Hawking’s concept of the multiverse by uncovering the universe’s fabric.
Dr. Aakash Sahai, an assistant professor of electrical engineering, has made a significant advancement in quantum technology that has sparked buzz throughout the quantum research community. His efforts promise to change the course of physics, chemistry, and medicine.
His innovative research grabbed the attention of the esteemed journal Advanced Quantum Technologies, which featured Sahai’s groundbreaking study on its June cover.
“It’s incredibly exciting because we’re looking at the advent of entirely new fields of research that could shape the world around us,” stated Sahai. “In previous advances, breakthroughs like subatomic mechanics paved the way for technologies such as lasers and computer chips. This latest innovation, grounded in materials science, aligns perfectly with that trend.”
How This Quantum Tool Works
Sahai has discovered a method to generate extraordinarily strong electromagnetic fields that were previously unattainable in lab settings. These fields are produced when electrons within materials vibrate and bounce rapidly, powering everything from integrated circuits to particle colliders on the hunt for dark matter.”
Producing electromagnetic fields strong enough for cutting-edge experiments until now demanded gargantuan facilities. For instance, to pursue evidence of dark matter, scientists rely on massive machines like CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, which stretches over 16.7 miles. Operating such large facilities is a resource-intensive affair that can become both costly and unpredictable.
By creating a silicon-based material that functions like a chip, Sahai’s technology can stand up to high-energy particle beams, manage energy flow efficiently, and grant access to electromagnetic fields generated through quantum electron gas vibrations – all within a space smaller than your thumb! This fast movement leads to the development of new electromagnetic fields.
Sahai’s approach not only directs the heat generated by the oscillations but also ensures that the sample remains intact and stable. This innovation could potentially downsize extensive colliders into something chip-sized.
As grad student Kalyan Tirumalasetty, who is part of Sahai’s lab, puts it: “Manipulating such high energy flows without compromising the material’s structure is the big win here. This technology could usher in significant global changes, moving us closer to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of nature and how we can influence them for good.”
Developed at CU Denver, the technology has already been tested at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a premier facility managed by Stanford University.
Real-World Impact of This Technology
CU Denver has already initiated the patenting process both domestically and internationally. Although tangible applications might still be a few years off, the promise of deepening our understanding of the universe and enhancing quality of life fuels the passion of both Sahai and Tirumalasetty as they dedicate countless late nights working in the lab and at SLAC.
“Gamma-ray lasers are on the horizon,” Sahai mentions. “With them, we could achieve imaging of biological tissues right down to the atomic nucleus. This would allow doctors to see what’s happening on an atomic scale, potentially accelerating our insight into powerful forces at play at tiny dimensions and leading to superior treatments for diseases. Eventually, gamma-ray lasers could help us target and remove cancerous cells at the nano scale.”
Additionally, this extreme plasmon technique has the potential to test various theories about our universe, exploring concepts from the possibility of a multiverse to examining the true fabric of existence. This idea deeply resonates with Tirumalasetty, who once dreamed of becoming a physicist. “Understanding nature at such a fundamental level is crucial to me, but engineers create tools that let scientists do even more. That is, quite frankly, exhilarating!”
The next step for this duo is revisiting SLAC this summer to continue refining their silicon-chip technology and laser methods. Unlike in Hollywood, pioneering technological advancements often span multiple decades; early work that paved their current success took root as far back as 2018 when Sahai first explored antimatter accelerators. “While it won’t happen overnight, I certainly believe we’ll see breakthroughs within my lifetime,” Sahai expressed.
Further Reading: Aakash A. Sahai, Extreme Plasmons, Advanced Quantum Technologies (2025). DOI: 10.1002/qute.202500037
Provided by the University of Colorado Denver
This article was originally published on Phys.org.
