Quantum memories in space: experiments in Earth orbit push the limits of physics

Quantum science and technology have been developing by leaps and bounds over the past few decades, so it is not surprising that quantum experiments are now being done in space. In this episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast Lisa Wörner and Jan-Michael Mol of the Institute of Quantum Technologies of the German Aerospace Center in Ulm explain why physicists are launching quantum memories and other devices into space and talk about the challenges of doing experiments in Earth orbit.

If this podcast has piqued your interest in quantum technologies in space there is much more in an open-access paper by Mol, Wörner and colleagues. It is called “Quantum memories for fundamental science in space” and is published in Quantum Science and Technology.