Applications of Quantum Physics?

[Moretti]

I know that there have been many technologies sparked by discoveries in quantum mechanics, however I haven't seen much about the application of the discoveries behind the Higgs or the higher generation leptons and quarks. Right now these discoveries are for the "understanding of nature" as was Schrödinger's equations at the time, which lead to the laser which is now very prevelant in modern society. My question is, are there any hypothetical uses for this knowledge, not ones already floating around the scientific community such as quantum computing?

[Sensei]

Nuclear reactor is application of quantum physics.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging another application of quantum physics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging

 

2nd and 3rd generation leptons and quarks and mesons are short living particles, that need tremendous amount of energy to create them in particle accelerator.

Edited October 5, 2014 by Sensei

[Moretti]

Nuclear reactor is application of quantum physics.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging another application of quantum physics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging

Yes, but I mean a hypothetical application of quantum physics given the latest research. Not something you can find on wikipedia.

 

2nd and 3rd generation leptons and quarks and mesons are short living particles, that need tremendous amount of energy to create them in particle accelerator.

There are still applications of 2nd and 3rd generation particles, such as Muon-Catalyzed fusion, which is impractical with the current technology, but it is still something that is possible.

http://www.starscientific.com.au/muon-catalysed-fusion/

[swansont]

Particle physics is really an application of the standard model and nuclear of quantum chromodynamics. Basic (or more "pure") QM's applications are more in atomic physics.

[Enthalpy]

Muons originated in cosmic rays have been used to make a picture of a volcano's depth, like X-rays make a picture of a chest.

 

Not exactly a use, rather the prevention of an annoyance: to compute the dose affecting electronic equipment and humans in space, software takes into account varied intermediate particles produced by a cosmic ray in the radiation shield, including short-lived particles.

 

There was some hope to use muons to catalyse nuclear fusion, but reputable people have abandoned it. Though, muons do have an indirect role in some reactor designs, like Rubbia's "energy amplifier", a sub-critical thorium reactor activated by a proton beam.

 

This "use" is science, maybe not your query... but at Cern, in the neutrino experiment, protons create an intermediate beam prior to neutrinos - again muons if I remember properly.

[Nicholas Kang]

I think you mean quantum teleportation. A recent discussion is at

 

http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/85988-first-teleportation-of-two-quantum-properties/

 

Enjoy!