Osaka, Japan — August 31, 2025 In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers in Japan have identified quantum entanglement in heavy fermions—electrons with unusually large effective mass—within a solid-state compound, potentially transforming the future of quantum computing.
The study, led by Dr. Shin-ichi Kimura of Osaka University, focused on Cerium-Rhodium-Tin (CeRhSn), a material with a quasi-Kagome lattice structure known for its geometrical frustration. This unique configuration fosters exotic quantum states by disrupting conventional magnetic ordering.
Using advanced reflectance spectroscopy, the team observed that the lifetimes of heavy electrons in CeRhSn approach the Planckian time limit—the shortest measurable unit in quantum mechanics. This behavior strongly indicates quantum entanglement, a phenomenon essential to quantum information processing.
“Our findings demonstrate that heavy fermions in this quantum critical state are indeed entangled, and this entanglement is controlled by the Planckian time,” said Dr. Kimura.
The compound also exhibited non-Fermi liquid behavior at relatively high temperatures, challenging traditional models of electron dynamics. These insights could pave the way for developing solid-state quantum computing systems that are more stable and scalable than current technologies.
The discovery not only deepens understanding of correlated electron systems but also positions Japan at the forefront of quantum innovation, with implications for next-generation computing and materials science.
