A “quantum fish” swims upstream in a superfluid: A new form of propulsion in a fluid of light

The Quantum Optics – Quantum Fluids of Light and Nanophotonics team has observed that a superfluid flowing around an object can set it into motion against the direction of the flow, provided that the flow velocity is sufficiently high.

This “quantum object” does not require its own engine: it takes advantage of the vortices it generates to propel itself.

For more information:

• CNRS news article: https://www.inp.cnrs.fr/fr/cnrsinfo/un-poisson-quantique-remonte-un-courant-superfluide-une-nouvelle-forme-de-propulsion-dans
• Publication in Physical Review Letters: https://doi.org/10.1103/ndj1-1j89