History Main / QuantumMechanicsCanDoAnything

* In [[Literature/JacquesMcKweon Jacques McKweon]] by Creator/BenCroshaw, Quantum Tunneling teleporters have taken over as the main form of transportation. This has put a bunch of star pilots out of business and permanently ruined epic space adventuring as a profession.

* In ''Literature/WillSaveTheGalaxyForFood'', Quantum Tunneling teleporters have taken over as the main form of transportation.

-->'''Keith''' (explaining to an incredulously-staring Andrew): There is like… you know there’s that quantum physics idea, you know, quantum physics? Where you can randomly put things up and then they will establish their own order.

* This trope is why ComicBook/CaptainAtom is considered the Biggest Billy-Badass in Franchise/TheDCU, even more powerful than ComicBook/{{Superman}} and literally capable of doing... well... [[SuperpowerLottery just about anything he wants]]. Dr. Manhattan below was an {{Expy}} for Captain Atom when DC refused to let Creator/AlanMoore kill off all the characters they'd just acquired when they bought out a rival. And then there's AlternateUniverse Quantum Superman, who's basically what happenes when Clark Kent gets quantum superpowers instead of Nathaniel Adam. During one big event when all Supermen in TheMultiverse team up, Quantum Superman is about as badass as the rest put together.

-->-- '''Professor Farnsworth''', ''{{WesternAnimation/Futurama}}''

* GN Particles in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' allow a properly-equipped Gundam to "quantize" itself, which apparently involves turning the entire machine, pilot included, into GN Particles, teleport, and then reassemble itself. In the series this is only used for short, tactical hops mid-battle, but at the end of the movie, the 00 Qan[T] does this over interstellar distances, effectively inventing FTL travel.

* Dr. Manhattan from ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'': a [[FreakLabAccident nuclear accident]] turned him into a PhysicalGod. Doc's body basically suffered 100% matter-to-energy conversion... but because his rather obsessive father trained him as a child to be a watchmaker -- thus imbuing him with patience, attention to minute detail, and mechanical understanding -- he somehow retained consciousness and "the very first trick [he] figured out was to put [him]self back together." Then he realized he could do it with ''the rest of reality'' too.
* This trope is why ComicBook/CaptainAtom is considered the Biggest Billy-Badass in Franchise/TheDCU, even more powerful than Franchise/{{Superman}} and literally capable of doing... well... [[SuperPowerLottery just about anything he wants]].
** Dr. Manhattan was an {{Expy}} for Captain Atom when DC refused to let Creator/AlanMoore kill off all the characters they'd just acquired when they bought out a rival. And then there's AlternateUniverse Quantum Franchise/{{Superman}}, who's basically what happenes when Clark Kent gets quantum superpowers instead of Nathaniel Adam. During one big event when all Supermen in TheMultiverse team up, Quantum Superman is about as badass as the rest put together.

* ''ComicBook/SteamWars'' uses this to explain Quantum Dragoon powers specifically how they're able to "teleport" when really they're using Quantum Physics to project themselves in different places at once. Basically, given the setup of the series itself, it's their world's equivalent of ''[[Franchise/StarWars The Force]]''.

* ''Film/Ghostbusters1984'': Word for word, each one of them is carrying an ''unlicensed nuclear accelerator on their back''. Looks like Quantum Mechanics can bust ghosts!

* ''Film/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnow'', a movie based on the idea that we all create our own realities, and that this has somehow mysteriously to do with quantum mechanics. (It could belong to RealLife too because the main financier of this movie, a certain J.Z. Knight aka Ramtha, has built quite a following on those ideas and sells it as an actual belief/self-help system.)
* In the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, a ''very'' fictionalized version of quantum physics form the basis of [[Film/AntMan1 Ant-Man's]] {{Sizeshifter}} powers. In ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'', the premise revolves around trying to rescue a fellow size-changing hero who shrunk down to a quantum level and hasn't been seen for thirty years. [[spoiler:When the heroes finally find her, she shows some bizarre side effects, including PsychicPowers and HealingHands.]] It's also used to explain the main antagonist's {{intangibility}} powers, [[spoiler:to turn her back to normal]], and [[{{Foreshadowing}} what sounds like a throwaway line]] implies that TimeTravel is possible.
-->'''Scott Lang:''' Do you guys just put the word "quantum" in front of everything?

* In Creator/SergeyLukyanenko's ''[[Literature/RoughDraft Final Draft]]'', the superhuman abilities of the [[DifferentlyPoweredIndividual functionals]] are explained away using quantum mechanics. In one case, the protagonist has to take a test to enter a functional building, which involves drinking acid. He ends up realizing that, in some alternate reality, there is a version of him that drinks acid for breakfast (literally) and incorporates that into himself. The only ones besides the original functionals who understand this stuff are the people from a "faraway" parallel world who have used the same knowledge to seal their reality away from all others.

* Played with in Creator/RobertReed's short story, ''The Hoplite''. The government uses a "quantum dilator" to snatch the souls of ancient brutal warriors for their cloned DoomTroops used to suppress the colonies. However, a civilian claims that the dilator is either fake, or that it just grabs the first random soul it finds, which is then brainwashed during cloning.
* In Dan Simmons' novels ''Literature/{{Illium}}'' and ''Olympos'', Quantum-based technology allows for the [[MagicFromTechnology simulation of godlike magical powers]]. "Quantum teleportation" can be used to travel through space, time and into other dimensions. Basically the word "quantum" is dropped into any explanation of how nearly anything works in the setting.
* ''Literature/KilnPeople'' by David Brin invents the egolaser, so to say. ("Just" replace photons with clones.)

* ''Literature/TheQuantumThief'': The final book in the trilogy, ''The Causal Angel'', features the discovery on how to use the universe itself as a giant quantum gravity computer and [[spoiler:use it to create a new, custom-made universe at will]] .

* ''Literature/RascalDoesNotDreamOfBunnyGirlSenpai'': The primary plot-driver, Adolescence Syndrome, happens as a result of adolescent angst being mashed up with various quantum physics concepts to produce strange phenomena, such as child actor Mai Sakurajima taking a break from her career due to burnout, and then gradually becoming RetGone because she is no longer being observed by the public.

* Warp drive from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' is not an example, but the quantum slipstream drive introduced in ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' is. ''Star Trek'' in general treats "quantum" as a one-size-fits-all buzzword to HandWave things with. According to some non-canon novels, the transporter works using this trope, handwaving the questions about "creating a copy and killing the original".

* In ''Series/FallingSkies'', Karen tells Ben that the Overlords are able to predict future events, including what the rebels will do next, through their superior understanding of quantum mechanics. Ben points out that they currently have the Overlord held captive, and she admits that sometimes their calculations need adjustment.
* An episode of ''Series/TheCape'' introduces Dice, a woman capable of predicting events with an eerie accuracy, which is explained by her being able to see everything down to the quantum level. The BigBad Chess studies her ability and manages to turn it into a software product that can do things like predict stock market trends (let's ignore the obvious result of completely destroying the idea of a stock market by turning everyone into an insider trader). For some strange reason, the only person she can't predict or even account for is Vince (a possible explanation is that she doesn't know his true identity, who is supposed to be dead anyway, resulting in an anomaly).
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': Angels are implied several times to be essentially living quantum physics. Castiel describes his existence without a body as "a multi-dimensional waveform of celestial intent", and when the brothers ask why his powers are limited, he says: "Well, the answer to your question can best be expressed as a series of partial differential equations."

* The song ''Kingdom of Heaven'' in the album ''Design Your Universe'' by ''Music/{{Epica}}'' has these verses:

* ''TabletopGame/EclipsePhase'' uses quantum cryptography realistically, and attempts to insert some realism in a SubspaceAnsible that uses quantum entanglement by having each byte break the connection between a pair of entangled particles. However it also speculates that [[PsychicPowers psi]] creates quantum fields in the brain enabling quantum computation, though it does acknowledge that doesn't explain telepathy, just the lower-level mental augmentation slights like grok or pattern recognition.

* ''VisualNovel/NineHoursNinePersonsNineDoors'' and its sequel ''VisualNovel/VirtuesLastReward'' mainly uses this, among other things, to explain [[spoiler:the various abilities of the espers, especially the MentalTimeTravel]].
* In ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', quantum mechanics are this game's AppliedPhlebotinum, being able to create [[FloatingContinent floating cities]], [[SchizoTech anachronistic technology]], elemental powers, [[RealityBleed multiversal engagement]], and a number of other things. The game features heavy themes of the division between [[InSpiteOfANail constants]] and [[ForWantOfANail variables]] that define an infinite realm of [[AlternateUniverse alternate universes]], and while they're heavily exaggerated by the narrative, the theoretical fundamentals are fairly well-researched.
-->'''Rosalind Lutece''': Colleagues called my Lutece Field "Quantum Levitation", but in fact, it was nothing of the sort. Magicians levitate. My atom simply failed to fall. If an atom could be suspended indefinitely, well -- why not an apple? If an apple, why not a city?
* In ''VideoGame/LetsBuildAZoo'', after you buy some double-decker buses, you unlock the quantum accelerator, which bends reality to... add extra seats.
* Used liberally in ''Franchise/MassEffect'', naturally. In the [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 second game]], The Illusive Man communicates with the Normandy II through a device that induces oscillations in a single quantum particle so that they may be observed in an entangled partner on the other end instantaneously, acting as a sort of "Quantum Telegraph". In the ''Leviathan'' DLC for the [[VideoGame/MassEffect3 third game]], this is also revealed to be how {{telepathy}} works. The title aliens somehow evolved the ability to deliberately induce quantum entanglement between electrons in their own nervous systems and those of other creatures, allowing them to communicate with or even control them across the vastness of space through the use of spherical "artifacts" that fill the role of vectors.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'', as her title suggests, Quantum Caira uses quantum for her abilities.
* In ''VideoGame/EndlessSpace'', a lot of end game stuff is based on the idea that a firm enough handle on quantum mechanics can make physics go sit in the corner. In reality, QM and physics largely "agree" unless a very specific set of circumstances occur.
* ''VideoGame/AgeOfWondersPlanetfall'' is shamelessly soft sci-fi, so the [=VoidTech=] Secret Technology takes this trope and runs with it. There's fluff about "entangling probabalistic quantum-realities" and such, but it's really MagicFromTechnology that frequently nods at popular quantum physics [[RuleOfFun as an excuse to include teleportation and time-manipulation gimmicks]].

* ''Webcomic/AliceGrove'': Alice and other former {{Super Soldiers}} like her show off superpowers and abilities that at times seem to break the laws of physics. Near the climax, she reveals that this is because the pre-apocalypse civilization that created them somehow quantum entangled them with black holes, allowing them to shunt their entropy into the singularities. Because of this, she specifically refers to herself and the others as "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxwell%27s_demon Maxwell's demons]]".

* ''Webcomic/QuantumVibe'', the very name is a shortened version of a fictional field of quantum physics called "quantum vibremonics", which can apparently lead to interdimensional travel.

* ''Website/SFDebris'' uses the line in one of his reviews, {{lampshad|eHanging}}ing ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'''s overuse of Quantum for their Technobabble.
-->''"The problem? A breakdown of Quantum cohesion. Heh, I told you Quantum would be to blame!"\\
And it's all thanks to, err, let's say Quantum again."''
** And again when he reviews ''WesternAnimation/WallE'', when it turns out that the space-ship doesn't have a sophisticated recycling system and so they must make new stuff by "erm, quantum".
* From ''Website/TheOnion'': [[http://www.theonion.com/articles/scifi-writer-attributes-everything-mysterious-to-q,2781/ Sci-Fi Writer Attributes Everything Mysterious to 'Quantum Flux'.]]
* ''[[http://www.quantumrip.com/ Quantum Rip]]'' uses quantum mechanics as a handwave for [[AnotherDimension interdimensional travel]] and magic.

* This belief apparently also exists in the world of ''Literature/LookToTheWest'', although the terminology is different:
-->Someone once said that studying science is basically like finding a long list of things you thought you knew, but don't. Well, there are certainly a lot of fields of science where public misconceptions and old, obsoleted theories have gotten out there, but perhaps no more so than in the world of inversion physics. People think that you can just throw out that word "inversion" and use it to justify any kind of magical nonsense you want.

--> '''Farnsworth:''' But, as Deepak Chopra taught us, quantum mechanics means anything can happen at any time for no reason! Also, eat plenty of oatmeal and [[ApeShallNeverKillApe animals never had a war]]. Who's [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters the]] ''[[HumansAreTheRealMonsters real]]'' [[HumansAreTheRealMonsters animal]]?
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': PlayedForLaughs in the episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS16E16DontFearTheRoofer Don't Fear The Roofer]]", when Creator/StephenHawking explains that Bart didn't see Ray the roofer because of a change in space-time continuum causing a mini black hole that absorbed the light from Ray. ItMakesSenseInContext. [[labelnote:No, it doesn't.]]Lisa says this sounds plausible, [[DontExplainTheJoke but it's not]]: Ray would be blocking the light from behind anyway, so Bart should've seen a black shadow where his stood.[[/labelnote]]

* Any number of dubious metaphysical or pseudoscientific theories splash a lot of Quantum about -- so much so that there's a term for them -- [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mysticism quantum mysticism]]. If someone offering you medical treatment uses the word "Quantum" in any explanation of how their treatment works [[note]]unless they're a radiographer or radiotherapist, and in that case they are getting far more technical than is strictly necessary![[/note]] you would be well advised to ''back away swiftly''.
** The most common variant of this is accomplished by dramatic misinterpretation of the Observer Effect. While in terms of actual physics "observation" occurs anytime the specific state of the particle could alter an interaction (essentially, when it interacts with anything up to and including a photon), Quantum Mysticism usually tries to convince the reader that "observation" has something to do with a [[BlatantLies sentient being looking at it]].
* ''Podcast/{{Skeptoid}}'' [[http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4217 calls this]] the 'Appeal to quantum physics': "a scientific-sounding way of claiming that the way your magical product or service works is beyond the customer's understanding."

* The TimeMachine in ''VisualNovel/SteinsGate'' employs the [[MagicalParticleAccelerator Large Hadron Collider]] to access the past. Explained by [[OmnidisciplinaryScientist Makise Kurisu]] through a series of [[{{Technobabble}} complicated quantum physical theories]].

* While ''Manga/MurasakiiroNoQualia'' is actually accurate in its explanation of physics concepts, as a science fiction, it abuses physics, and in particular quantum mechanics, to quite some extent.
* This is the HandWave explanation for all psychic powers in ''LightNovel/ACertainMagicalIndex''.

* ''Literature/TheSecret'' is less philosophical about it than ''Film/WhatTheBleepDoWeKnow'', but it dabbles in much the same field, using quantum entanglement to explain how the "Law of Attraction" works.
* In Dan Simmons' novels ''Literature/{{Illium}}'' and ''Olympos'', Quantum-based technology allows for the [[MagicFromTechnology simulation of godlike magical powers]]. "Quantum teleportation" can be used to travel through space, time and into other dimensions. Basically the word "quantum" is dropped into any explanation of how nearly anything works in the setting.
* "Because of quantum" is a standard ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' HandWave. The interesting thing is that it's explicitly used in the same way as "[[AWizardDidIt magic]]" is used in RealLife, but on the Discworld, [[SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic magic is definable, closely studied and quite well understood]]. (Until it blows up in your face, that is.) But anything that really doesn't make sense and can't be explained, that's probably quantum.[[note]]One of the things Death and Ridcully have in common is that they both hate, or at least deeply mistrust, quantum.[[/note]]

* Creator/GregBear's short story "Schrödinger's Plague" egregiously abuses this. A variation of the UsefulNotes/SchrodingersCat experiment is performed with five scientists substituted for the cat and, instead of cyanide, a SyntheticPlague with a long latency period. The physicist who planned the experiment explains that it's been "established experimentally" that conscious observation can collapse quantum states. The author's note in ''The Collected Stories of Greg Bear'' hints that the physics in the story is not legitimate, but he leaves the proof as an exercise to the reader.
* ''Literature/TheQuantumThief'': The final book in the trilogy, ''The Causal Angel'', features the discovery on how to use the universe itself as a giant quantum gravity computer and [[spoiler:use it to create a new, custom-made universe at will]] .
* In ''Literature/WillSaveTheGalaxyForFood'', Quantum Tunneling teleporters have taken over as the main form of transportation.

* In ''Literature/{{Anathem}}'', quantum effects are used to build a "Saunt Grod's machine", a nondeterministic Turing machine; at least as theorized uses go, this would suggest that BQP contains NP, a mathematical open question generally thought to be false.
* ''Literature/{{Timeline}}'' uses liberal quantum {{technobabble}} to explain its "[[InsistentTerminology Not-really-Time-Travel]] TimeTravel". The technology started as an attempt to build a teleporter after a company built the first quantum computer, which was capable of storing the position and state (thus breaking the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle) of every atom in an object. Instead of teleporting though the machine sends objects to {{Alternate Universe}}s. Things started getting really quantum mechanic-ey when it's revealed that they have no idea how to turn that data back into a real object. So every time the machine is used the person or object sent must therefore arrive from yet another different universe than the one it was originally sent from, where they have the ability to turn data back into reality.
* Referenced in Creator/GregEgan's short story "Oracle": An atheist scientist mentions that he coped with the death of a childhood friend by creating a theory where "souls" used loopholes in quantum uncertainty to control their bodies in life and [[DeadPersonConversation commune with the living]] afterwards.

* ''Literature/TheFold'' cites the observer effect as a key component of transdimensional travel. Also, all human minds have latent telepathic ability building to a critical mass that makes transdimensional breakdown inevitable. ''Also'' also, there are monsters coming to eat all humans as soon as that travel becomes possible. The monsters are also {{Reality Warper}}s.