A once-theoretical quantum interaction has been achieved in a breakthrough laboratory experiment by University of Oxford researchers, opening new possibilities in quantum computing, sensing, and simulation.
In a recent paper published in Nature Physics, the Oxford team revealed how they achieved complex controlled squeezing, a breakthrough in engineering that allowed them to harness what is known as “quadsqueezing” for the first time in a real-world environment.
The achievement marks a major advance in bringing quantum theory into application, setting the stage for unpredictable developments in cutting-edge quantum technologies.
Quantum Systems
Controlling tiny vibrating quantum systems, known as quantum harmonic oscillators, is essential to quantum technologies. These systems can include light waves, molecular vibrations, or the motion of a single atom, and are critical for achieving precision in quantum applications. Typically, this control is achieved through squeezing, a technique used to redistribute quantum probabilities.
Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, foundational to quantum mechanics, states that certain pairs of properties, such as position and momentum, cannot be precisely known simultaneously. Essentially, the more accurately one is measured, the more uncertain the other becomes. Through squeezing, scientists manipulate this balance, increasing the certainty of one property while decreasing that of the other. While squeezing itself is not new, it is already used in applications such as gravitational-wave detectors that study distant cosmic events.
Despite progress with basic squeezing, more complex forms such as trisqueezing and quadsqueezing have remained elusive. Higher-order effects are significantly weaker and become increasingly difficult to sustain as their order increases. Because of this, scientists have historically been unable to observe them before they are overwhelmed by quantum noise.
Controlled Quantum Squeezing
The Oxford team took a new approach to achieving these advanced effects by controlling two separate forces acting on a single ion, rather than attempting to directly produce higher-order interactions. This additive method overcomes the weakness of individual interactions by combining two simpler, stronger forces that work together to produce a greater overall effect through a phenomenon known as non-commutativity.
“In the lab, non-commuting interactions are often seen as a nuisance because they introduce unwanted dynamics,” said lead author, Dr. Oana Băzăvan, Department of Physics, University of Oxford. “Here, we took the opposite approach and used that feature to generate stronger quantum interactions.”
Using a single experimental setup, the Oxford team was able to switch between various forms of squeezing, ranging from basic squeezing to the more complex trisqueezing, and ultimately achieving fourth-order quadsqueezing for the first time in a laboratory environment. They accomplished this controlled switching while suppressing unwanted side effects by carefully adjusting the strengths, phases, and frequencies of the applied forces.
“The result is more than the creation of a new quantum state. It is a demonstration of a new method for engineering interactions that were previously out of reach.” Dr. Băzăvan said. “The fourth-order quadsqueezing interaction was generated more than 100 times faster than expected using conventional approaches. This makes effects that were previously out of reach accessible in practice.”
Confirmation
To verify their results, the researchers reconstructed the Wigner functions of the induced states, a method used to describe quantum systems. This confirmed that they had successfully achieved the distinct signatures associated with second-, third-, and the most elusive, fourth-order squeezing.
With this breakthrough, the researchers are now working to extend their methods to even more complex systems. They note that the fundamental components required for this technique already exist across many quantum platforms, enhancing its practicality and opening the door to advances in computing, sensing, and simulation. The approach has already been applied in other experiments, including generating arbitrary quantum superpositions and simulating lattice gauge theories.
Despite its apparent accessibility, the researchers emphasize that their work opens the door to previously unexplored areas of quantum science, likely leading to further discoveries.
The paper, “Squeezing, Trisqueezing and Quadsqueezing in a Hybrid Oscillator–Spin System,” appeared in Nature Physics on May 1, 2026.
Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.