In 1923 Arthur Compton shone X-rays onto a block of graphite and found that they bounced off with their energy reduced exactly as would be expected if they were composed of particles colliding with electrons in the graphite. This was the first indication of radiation’s particle-like nature.
“It takes colossal imagination to wrap your head around quantum physics and dream up new technologies. Who better to explore these ideas than writers of fiction?” says Artur Ekert, Director of the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore and a judge for Quantum Shorts since day one. These stories were our favourites of the many hundreds of responses to our calls for flash fiction inspired by quantum physics. Enjoy exploring. Imaginary worlds are waiting for you.