Quantum Levitation
- Ah Young Kim
- Mar 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Introduction
Even a short video of quantum levitation will blow your mind. Honestly, during my first encounter with quantum levitation, I assumed it was an edited, fake video.
This incredible floating disk video was created using simply two materials: a superconductor and a magnet. The properties of the superconductor (disk) and the magnetic field (created by magnets) allow the disk to float around in a fixed position and height.
Mechanism
Quantum levitation uses the property of superconductors when placed in a magnetic field. To begin with, superconductors are materials that conduct electricity with no energy loss. In other words, electrons are able to flow extremely easily in superconductors. This property of superconductors causes them to cancel out the magnetic field inside them by creating small currents on the surface. Thus, the net magnetic field lines would look like the field bending around the superconductor (shown below).
However, when the superconductor is very thin, it allows some magnetic fields to penetrate through as a very narrow form, called a flux tube. These flux tubes are what lock the superconductor in a fixed position. Thus, if the superconductor is tilted by an external force, such as your hand, the flux tubes hold the superconductor in a tilted position unless another external force is applied.
Applications
Quantum levitation opens up possibilities for science fiction to come to reality. For example, flying transportation can be developed that flies above the magnetic tracks. These transportation would not even require any fuel or energy to move around along the tracks.
Limitations
As you may already know, superconductors only function correctly when the temperature is below 0 K or -273 ℃. This also applies to the superconductors used during quantum levitation. Thus, superconductors cannot be applied to real-world settings, where the temperature is well above 273 K or 0 ℃. However, when a superconductor that functions at room temperature is available, not only quantum levitation but also many other applications of superconductors will become possible.
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