Quantum gravity

A black hole formula worked out in the 1970s remains the most concrete clue physicists have about the threads of the space-time fabric.

A mysterious phenomenon known as duality often leads to new discoveries in physics. This time, space-time itself can sometimes be two things at once.

The philosopher Karen Crowther digs into how the space-time fabric could possibly emerge from something non-spatiotemporal.

These three imagined scenarios lead many physicists to doubt that space-time is fundamental.

This special issue of Quanta Magazine explores the ultimate scientific quest: the search for the fundamental nature of reality.

Black holes are inescapable traps for most of what falls into them — but there can be exceptions. The theoretical physicist Leonard Susskind speaks with co-host Janna Levin about the black hole information paradox and how it has propelled modern physics.

Teleporting people through space is still science fiction. But quantum teleportation is dramatically different and entirely real. In this episode, Janna Levin interviews the theoretical physicist John Preskill about teleporting bits and the promise of quantum technology.

Two researchers have proved that Penrose tilings, famous patterns that never repeat, are mathematically equivalent to a kind of quantum error correction.

From the smallest scales to the largest, the physical world provided no shortage of surprises this year.