Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

Atomic Mass

Atomic Mass

Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic Orbitals

An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

In an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus. In a multielectron atom, electron-electron repulsions are also observed. The attractive and repulsive forces are dependent on the distance between the particles, as well as the sign and magnitude of the charges on the individual particles. When the charges on the particles are opposite, they attract each other. If both particles have the same charge, they repel each other.

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Light-mediated strong coupling between a mechanical oscillator and atomic spins 1 meter apart.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2020

Same author

Spatial entanglement patterns and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering in Bose-Einstein condensates.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2018

Same journal

A native sulfur deposit in Gale crater, Mars.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Coordinated demise of harmful algal blooms.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Genetic effects put into context.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Bacteria share proteins to survive antibiotics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Impacts shaped Earth's first continents.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same journal

Erratum for the Report "Covalently bonded single-molecule junctions with stable and reversible photoswitched conductivity" by C. Jia <i>et al</i>.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Introduction to Active Probe Atomic Force Microscopy with Quattro-Parallel Cantilever Arrays

Author Spotlight: Introduction to Active Probe Atomic Force Microscopy with Quattro-Parallel Cantilever Arrays

Published on: June 13, 2023

Multiparameter estimation with an array of entangled atomic sensors.

Yifan Li¹, Lex Joosten¹, Youcef Baamara²

¹Department of Physics, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 82, Basel, Switzerland.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|January 22, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers demonstrated multiparameter quantum metrology using entangled atomic ensembles. This advancement enhances the precision of field sensors and imaging devices beyond the standard quantum limit.

More Related Videos

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers

Published on: September 3, 2014

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference

Published on: September 5, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Introduction to Active Probe Atomic Force Microscopy with Quattro-Parallel Cantilever Arrays

Author Spotlight: Introduction to Active Probe Atomic Force Microscopy with Quattro-Parallel Cantilever Arrays

Published on: June 13, 2023

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers

Published on: September 3, 2014

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference

Published on: September 5, 2019

Area of Science:

Quantum physics
Quantum metrology
Atomic physics

Background:

Quantum metrology enhances measurement precision using entangled states.
Single-parameter estimation is established, but joint multiparameter estimation remains a theoretical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally demonstrate multiparameter quantum metrology.
To create a flexible atomic sensor array with intersensor entanglement.
To achieve substantial gains over the standard quantum limit in joint estimation tasks.

Main Methods:

Utilizing an array of entangled atomic ensembles.
Splitting a spin-squeezed ensemble to create the sensor array.
Implementing an optimal estimation protocol.

Main Results:

Successful experimental demonstration of multiparameter quantum metrology.
Creation of a configurable atomic sensor array with intersensor entanglement.
Achieved significant precision enhancements beyond the standard quantum limit for joint estimation.

Conclusions:

Grounded the concept of quantum enhancement for field sensor arrays and imaging devices.
Opened new avenues for advanced sensing technologies.
Validated the potential of entangled atomic ensembles for precise multiparameter measurements.