Quantum machine Quantum machine A quantum machine is a human-made device whose collective motion follows the laws of quantum mechanics. The idea that macroscopic objects may follow the laws of quantum mechanics dates back to the advent of quantum mechanics in the early 20th century. However, as highlighted by the Schrödinger's cat thought experiment, quantum effects are not readily observable in large-scale objects. Consequently, quantum states of motion have only been observed in special circumstances at extremely low temperatures. The fragility of quantum effects in macroscopic objects may arise from rapid quantum decoherence. Researchers created the first quantum machine in 2009, and
Unitary transformation (quantum mechanics) qubit is driven simultaneously at two frequencies, formula_65 and formula_66, for which formula_67. formula_68 In addition, there are many fourth-order terms coupling the modes, but most of them can be neglected. In this experiment, two such terms which will become important are formula_69. (H.c. is shorthand for the Hermitian conjugate.) We can apply a displacement transformation, formula_70, to mode formula_64<nowiki>. For Unitary transformation (quantum mechanics) In quantum mechanics, the Schrödinger equation describes how a system changes with time. It does this by relating changes in the state of system to the energy in the system (given by an operator called