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The pairing of electrons in high-temperature superconductors is anisotropic. Measurements now reveal their scattering to bear the same anisotropy, providing insights into the nature of the normal state and the origin of superconductivity.
Electron spins confined within quantum dots are potential qubits for quantum information processing. But how to couple the dots? Optical probing of spherical structures that contain two concentric coupled quantum dots leads the way.
Quantum networks could permit secure communication over large distances and, eventually, quantum computing with photons. One of the basic building blocks has now been put in place.
Strongly correlated systems are difficult to control or even probe at the level of individual interacting elements. Engineered composites of optical cavities, few-level atoms, and laser light could enable greater insight into their behaviour.