Entanglement between superconducting qubits and a tardigrade

TL;DR

This study demonstrates quantum entanglement between superconducting qubits and a tardigrade in cryptobiosis, showing the organism's survival under extreme quantum-compatible conditions and establishing a new record for life survival in such environments.

Contribution

First to entangle a complex biological organism in cryptobiosis with superconducting qubits under extreme conditions, bridging quantum physics and biology.

Findings

Successful entanglement between a tardigrade and superconducting qubits.

Tardigrade survived 420 hours at sub-10 mK temperatures and ultra-high vacuum.

Tardigrade returned to active state after extreme conditions.

Abstract

Quantum and biological systems are seldom discussed together as they seemingly demand opposing conditions. Life is complex, "hot and wet" whereas quantum objects are small, cold and well controlled. Here, we overcome this barrier with a tardigrade -- a microscopic multicellular organism known to tolerate extreme physiochemical conditions via a latent state of life known as cryptobiosis. We observe coupling between the animal in cryptobiosis and a superconducting quantum bit and prepare a highly entangled state between this combined system and another qubit. The tardigrade itself is shown to be entangled with the remaining subsystems. The animal is then observed to return to its active form after 420 hours at sub 10 mK temperatures and pressure of $6\times 10^{-6}$ mbar, setting a new record for the conditions that a complex form of life can survive.