Quantum entanglement
The researchers further discuss the possibility of using a semi-classical model, wherein the bacteria are modelled as a classical system and the light as a quantum system, or vice versa. A semi-classical model appears to be incapable of obtaining the Rabi splitting. It is noted in the text that it is just a specific case of the general fact that such models cannot fully reproduce quantum effects.[12]
The conclusion inferred from the discussion about theoretical modelling of the experiment implies some intriguing possibilities:
‘ Light is known to be a quantum field from other independent experimental evidence, so a non- approximative model for light would require it to be quantum. As soon as light is treated as quantum, since the Rabi splitting is observed in the experiment, the bacteria (more precisely, whatever degree of freedom within bacteria couples to light) would also have to be quantum — in the sense that they must be described by a model with at least two non-commuting observables. ’ [12] According to the researchers, Rabi splitting is not enough to rule out hidden-variable models, which are deterministic physical models that posit that all observables have defined values fixed by unknown variables [see 13]. Other physicists also point out that in order to demonstrate entanglement one has to analyse the two observed systems independently, unlike in the experiment mentioned beforehand.[14] Further experiments need to be conducted, and Farrow, a co-author of the study, and his colleagues are already planning to attempt entangling two bacteria to one another to verify the results of the experiment.[12, 14] Although the rigorous nature of science demands corroboration and confirmation of the discussed experimental results, the Rabi splitting entanglement witness and the fact that only a quantummodel can properly describe the experiment is just about enough evidence to reach a tentative conclusion that microorganisms can and do entangle with subatomic particles like photons. Considering that quantum physicists of the past considered experiments like these improbable, if not impossible, makes this find is particularly fascinating. One also has to contemplate the possibility that living organisms might gain an important place in the fields of quantum computing and cryptography, since they are capable of quantum entanglement. Still, one has to wait for the results of future experiments, whether they lend more credibility to the hidden variable theories, or reveal other quantum phenomena that can occur in living entities.
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