In 2022, John Clauser was awarded the Nobel Prize for proving what Einstein believed to be impossible and, to many, sounded too bizarre to be true.

Clauser’s groundbreaking work confirmed that tiny particles or photons exhibit different behaviors when observed, locking into specific places and times based on the act of observation. In the absence of observation, these particles exist in multiple places simultaneously, moving in all directions at once, governed by the laws of quantum mechanics.

“In quantum mechanics, essentially, anything that can happen happens. Anything that isn’t forbidden is mandatory,” explained New York University physics professor Matthew Kleban.

These principles at the quantum level are prompting physicists to explore the idea that similar phenomena may occur in our larger world, suggesting that all possibilities play out in alternate timelines or parallel universes, a concept often referred to as the “many worlds” theory.

Clauser’s Nobel Prize-winning experiments and the works of other quantum physicists have also confirmed the existence of entangled particles. These particles, or photons, have entangled partner particles, and the act of observing one particle not only changes its state but instantaneously alters the state of its entangled partner, even if located on the other side of the universe.

Engineers are leveraging these quantum laws to drive innovations in electronics, particularly in the development of quantum computers and enhanced encryption methods to bolster data security.

For instance, researchers are exploring ways to transmit two streams of entangled photons, enabling instant detection of eavesdropping attempts by hackers.