First Evidence of Vacuum Birefringence | Science News

Scientists may have just captured the first direct evidence of vacuum birefringence — a quantum phenomenon predicted by Heisenberg nearly 90 years ago. Using NASA’s X-ray telescope and Australian radio telescopes, researchers studied the magnetar 1E 1547, whose trillion-times-stronger-than-Earth magnetic field acts as a cosmic lab. They observed unprecedented X-ray polarization locked to the magnetar’s magnetic field — exactly what theory predicts if virtual particles in empty space are twisting light. If confirmed, this discovery could revolutionize our understanding of quantum physics under extreme conditions and solve a decades-old mystery. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/49ec2bbdadaab29a