Tag

Vacuum Birefringence

All articles tagged with #vacuum birefringence

science1 day ago•3 min saved

Magnetar Polarization Sheds Light on Quantum Vacuum

Astronomers report what may be the first evidence of vacuum birefringence, a quantum effect predicted by Heisenberg, by observing highly polarized X-rays and radio waves from magnetar 1E 1547.0-5408 with IXPE, NICER, and Parkes. The extreme magnetic field around the magnetar aligns virtual particles, causing polarization to correlate with the star’s magnetic axis and offering a natural laboratory to test quantum physics—though further data and simulations are needed to confirm the finding.

via Universe Today|

#heisenberg #magnetar #polarization

space-and-astronomy9 days ago•53 min saved

Magnetar Lights Up Space-Time: First Clear Proof of Vacuum Birefringence

Observations of a highly magnetic magnetar (1E 1547-5408) with NASA’s IXPE show X-ray polarization nearly three times higher than typical neutron-star emission and aligned with the star’s magnetic field, providing the strongest evidence yet that vacuum birefringence occurs—empty space acting like a prism under extreme magnetic fields. This long-predicted quantum effect, rooted in Heisenberg and Euler’s work from 1936, tests quantum electrodynamics in nature’s most extreme laboratories and motivates future missions (e.g., GoSOX) to confirm the finding.

via Yahoo|

#ixpe #magnetar #polarization

science11 days ago•160 min saved

Magnetar’s polarized light tests quantum vacuum, solving a 90-year mystery

New observations of magnetar 1E 1547-5408 with IXPE and other telescopes show X-ray polarization about three times higher than standard models and aligned with the star’s magnetic field, providing strong evidence for vacuum birefringence — the idea that empty space behaves like a prism under ultra-strong magnetic fields and a prediction dating back to Heisenberg and Euler nearly 90 years ago; the findings test fundamental physics and future missions like GoSOX may help confirm the effect and illuminate the fabric of reality.

via Space|

#ixpe #magnetar #polarization

science11 days ago•12 min saved

Magnetar Polarization Tests Quantum Vacuum: Evidence of Vacuum Birefringence

Astronomers observing magnetar 1E 1547.0–5408 with IXPE and NICER detected strong X-ray polarization aligned with the star's magnetic field, matching predictions for vacuum birefringence, a long-predicted quantum electrodynamics effect where empty space behaves like a birefringent medium under extreme magnetic fields. While this could be the first direct test of the effect, researchers caution that other magnetar processes could mimic the signal and more data are needed to confirm the finding.

via SciTechDaily|

#magnetar #polarization #quantum-electrodynamics