“A core phenomenon in quantum physics where two or more subatomic particles become deeply connected so that the quantum state of one particle cannot be described independently of the others, even when they are separated by vast distances. Most atoms consist of three primary subatomic particles."
The Quantum Entanglement Machine
“I am told that Dr Max Jennings together with his friend Isaac Bamford have made significant strides into some obscure branch of physics.”
“Yes, I have heard that rumour too, after the Nobel, no doubt! You do know they both studied under that funny chap over at Trinity, what’s his name, the one who mysteriously disappeared. Did they ever find out what became of him?”
“Oh yes, Butterworth or something, wasn’t it, ran off with the Dean’s daughter, from what I heard, quite a scandal.”
The two walked across the Great Court for luncheon at High Table.
“What exactly are Bamford and Jennings working on?”
“I have no idea, old chap, something to do with Quantum Entanglement, I’m told.”
“What rot. Didn’t Einstein debunk that theory back in ‘35?”
“Don’t ask me, I have no idea. All I can think about is luncheon; I’m starving. I hope they will be serving the ‘52 claret and not that cheap plonk they tried to foist on us in the Michaelmas term.”
Meanwhile, in a large laboratory, Professor Jennings paced around a tall, complex machine like a large fridge with a glass front; it hummed quietly. Powerful magnets and electrical coils were attached to every surface. Cables and pipes came out like tentacles, connecting it to the walls, floor and ceiling of the laboratory. The whole room hummed with some unseen power, and from the cooling pipes, frosty mist was falling onto the floor, obscuring the men’s shoes. Their hair was occasionally standing on end, as if the air was charged with static electricity. Bamford looked doubtfully and said,
“I don’t understand what this machine does, let alone how it works.” Exasperated, Jennings said,
“Bamford, I have tried to explain it before. It exploits a strange and misunderstood phenomenon. Most physicists reject it out of ignorance because they claim it violates a fundamental law of physics: the speed of light. It has long been understood that objects made of identical subatomic particles but separated in space have a special and instantaneous connection, even over vast distances. They are inexplicably ‘entangled.’ I know Einstein has dismissed this concept as ‘spooky action at a distance’; nevertheless, it remains a fact.”
“I’m sorry, Jennings, but I still don’t understand?” Bamford said, looking mystified. Jennings looked into his bemused face, and with a great sigh said,
“Whatever is done to one of a pair of ‘entangled objects’ instantaneously affects the other, no matter the distance between them. I have discovered how to exploit these phenomena.”
“You mean this contraption is one of a pair!”
“Indeed, the other is with Professor Ziegler in Vienna. So, if I place an object into this chamber and activate the device, any random arrangement of atoms contained in the counterpart machine will rearrange into an exact replica instantaneously, and vice versa, provided they are of the same basic matter, of course.”
“I see,” said Bamford hesitantly, like a photocopier, you mean,” he said hesitantly, although he looked sceptical.
“A rather crude comparison, Bamford, but yes, essentially. I’m sure you can see, the possibilities are endless! Even if the other device were on the moon, or Mars, or even the other side of the galaxy, an exact replica would appear instantaneously. You could build anything here on Earth, and an exact copy would appear in the other device, wherever it was. The two are entangled at the Quantum level, but only whilst they remain inside the containment field of their respective devices. What happens once they are removed, I do not know. The copy may well turn to dust.”
“Well, it is a remarkable invention, Jennings!” Bamford said in astonishment, “but if you cannot remove it from the chamber without it crumbling to dust, it is utterly useless!”
The telephone rang somewhere in the room. Jennings picked up the receiver,
“Are you ready, Professor Ziegler?” An indistinct reply was heard, which may have been,
“Ja,” followed by, “Treten Sie zurück, ich platziere den Gegenstand jetzt in der Kammer.“ (Stand back, I am placing the object in the chamber now.) Both Bamford and Jennings stood back, shielding their eyes as something materialised in the chamber in a blaze of bright light. Astonished, Bamford reached for the door of the machine, but Jennings grabbed him, shouting,
“No! Don’t touch it! Not until the containment field is fully off. We do not know what would happen if your arm entered that field whilst it is still running.” Bamford reeled back, looking shocked. With the power off and the humming silent, they saw a small silver cigarette case lying on the chamber floor. Bamford knelt down to look through the chamber door at the small object. It was perfect in every respect; an engraved inscription read, To my dear son on Max on his acceptance to Trinity College, 1949.
After examining the case carefully, Bamford looked straight at his old friend and said seriously,
“What would happen if a man stood in the chamber, would he be duplicated too?” His voice was shaking slightly at the horrific prospect.
“No one knows, Bamford. We have contemplated the thought, of course, but some things must surely be forbidden. Creation of life belongs to The Almighty alone,” he said quietly. “We have only experimented with inanimate objects so far. But living beings are a very different matter. A man is so much more than molecules and atoms. Molecules and atoms are simply the dust his body is made from. The living man is the spirit that inhabits his body, and I’m sure that that cannot be transmitted; it is unique. If you tried, what materialised in the other chamber may simply be an animated corpse, a biological object without purpose or will. All Bios and no Zoe.” Both men shuddered at the thought.
Copyright Christopher Mathews, November 2026
