Physicists investigate the role of quantum entanglement in the magnetic compasses of animals

Physicists investigate the role of quantum entanglement in the magnetic compasses of animals
Physicists have found that quantum entanglement may play a role in some types of magnetoreception with certain molecules, but more work is needed to determine the exact molecules involved in the magnetoreception of animals such as cows and others that seem to have a chemical compass. Image credit: Daniel Schwen.

(PhysOrg.com) -- Many animals possess some kind of magnetic sense, allowing them to navigate by using a magnetic field. The ability to detect a magnetic field, called magnetoreception, has been observed in a variety of animals, including birds, turtles, sharks, lobsters, cows, fungi, and bacteria. However, scientists do not fully understand the mechanisms responsible for this ability. In a new study, physicists have investigated the role of quantum interactions in magnetoreception, and have shown that quantum technologies could be used to enhance or reduce the performance of an animal’s chemical compass, and potentially control other biological functions.

“I think our study has made clear that , as a genuine , may not only be observed in isolated and highly-controlled laboratory systems,” Hans Briegel, a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Innsbruck, told PhysOrg.com. “It can also exist and play a role in biologically relevant systems, specifically the chemical compass, and we have described a route how this could in principle be investigated experimentally.”

In their study published in a recent issue of Physical Review Letters, Briegel and coauthors Jianming Cai and Gian Giacomo Guerreschi explain that there are two main hypotheses of magnetoreception. One of these is called the radical-pair mechanism, in which magnetic receptors in an animal’s eye are activated by to produce a pair of free radicals. Each free radical has an unpaired electron, and the spins of the electrons are correlated. The interaction between the free radicals and a surrounding weak magnetic field can cause different kinds of spin correlations to occur, allowing an animal to “see” the magnetic field.

One of the things that the Innsbruck researchers wanted to know was whether the from the radical pairs needed to be quantum mechanically entangled, or whether classical correlations were sufficient to account for the sensitivity of the compass. In their calculations, they found that the answer largely depends on the radical-pair lifetime: for short lifetimes, such as in the case of a molecule used in recent spin-chemistry experiments, entanglement is a prominent feature; on the other hand, for long lifetimes, such as in the case of the molecule thought to be responsible for magnetoreception in European robins, entanglement does not seem to play a significant role.

Since scientists are not entirely certain which molecules are involved in the radical-pair mechanisms in different ’ chemical compasses, the question of whether animals use entanglement to detect magnetic fields remains an open question. However, the physicists suggest that certain experiments could be performed to help narrow down the possible molecular candidates in animal magnetoreception. For instance, by applying pi pulses that are parallel, perpendicular, or a variation of both to an animal’s surrounding , researchers may be able to observe how the quantum control protocol affects the animal’s orientation ability. The physicists stressed that much more work would be needed to study the effect of quantum control pulses on biological tissue before such experiments could be carried out safely.

More information: Jianming Cai, Gian Giacomo Guerreschi, and Hans J. Briegel. “Quantum Control and Entanglement in a Chemical Compass.” Physical Review Letters 104, 220502 (2010). DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.220502

Copyright 2010 PhysOrg.com.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of PhysOrg.com.

Citation: Physicists investigate the role of quantum entanglement in the magnetic compasses of animals (2010, June 21) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2010-06-physicists-role-quantum-entanglement-magnetic.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

A solid case of entanglement

0 shares

Feedback to editors