A quantum physicist distills the science in the latest Ant-Man film
Of all the characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, no one relies on quantum mechanics to support their superpowers and plot more than Ant-Man, and the latest film in the franchise, Quantumania, goes all in.
The movie makes no claims of scientific accuracy, opting to be more fanciful than realistic. Despite this, the motion picture references several real scientific terms, while making others up. As a physics professor and quantum scientist who saw Quantumania on opening night, here are four ways the movie connects with science.
Spoiler alert! We’re about to discuss plot elements of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Nearly the entire movie takes place in the “quantum realm,” a universe that is only accessible to the small. The “quantum realm” is not a standard scientific term. Rather, it was coined by Caltech mathematical physicist Spyridon “Spiros” Michalakis, who served as a scientific advisor on several Marvel movies, including the first Ant-Man, where the term made its debut. Michalakis suggested the term in lieu of the comic book name “microverse,” which could not be used due to legal issues.
Thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, more and more quantum scientists are using the term “quantum realm” to refer to the domain where nature is described by the laws of quantum mechanics, especially when communicating with the general public. This real quantum realm is a part of our universe, however, not an alternate one like the movie. In fact, quantum mechanics enables everyday technologies like computer chips, lasers, LEDs, solar panels, GPS, and smoke detectors. The use of “quantum realm” in formal scientific settings remains limited, however.
In Quantumania, Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott Lang / Ant-Man, builds a device to explore the quantum realm. She explains, “It’s like a satellite for deep space, but quantum.” Hank Pym likens it to a “subatomic Hubble telescope.” These are references to the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits the earth, making it a satellite, taking pictures of deep space. Cassie’s “but quantum” stipulation means her satellite observes the quantum realm rather than deep space. Hank’s “subatomic” adjective also refers to the quantum realm, as “subatomic” means things smaller than atoms, and quantum mechanics describes small objects like molecules, atoms, and particles. So, Hank is also describing Cassie’s invention as a telescope for the quantum realm.
Cassie’s device does not just passively observe the quantum realm. It works by sending signals, which are received back. The fact that Cassie’s device sends out signals is crucial to the plot. It earned her a sharp rebuke from Janet van Dyne, and it enabled Kang the Conqueror to detect the signal and pull the heroes into the quantum realm. In contrast, the Hubble Space Telescope does not send signals; it takes pictures of the universe by simply receiving light from distant objects. Then, Cassie’s device is more akin to radar or sonar, which transmit radio waves or sound waves, respectively, and after the waves have bounced off objects, the device receives them to learn about the objects. Similarly, dolphins and bats use echolocation to navigate. There do exist radar telescopes, such as the famed Arecibo Observatory that was filmed in the 1995 James Bond GoldenEye film and that collapsed in 2020, which send out signals and receive them back, but these telescopes are for nearby objects, not for taking pictures of deep space.
When the heroes arrive in the quantum realm, Hank is surprised that in all his years of research, he never discovered the world they were now exploring. Janet explains that it was because Hank never looked past “the void” and “sub-atomica.” The void is a philosophical concept without wide acceptance in physics. “Sub-atomica” is a Marvel term, and they seem to be playing on the scientific term “subatomic” to describe a place smaller than atoms.
Janet described the quantum realm as a “secret universe beneath ours.” This could be similar to string theory, an unverified theory of physics that requires extra dimensions for mathematical consistency. These extra dimensions might only be accessible for the very small. The standard analogy is to imagine a straight garden hose. From a distance, the garden hose only has one dimension, corresponding to movement along its length. Close up, however, an ant walking on the garden hose has access to two dimensions: it can walk along the hose’s length, or it can walk around its circumference. Similarly, by becoming small, the heroes may be able to access additional dimensions — a “secret universe.”
With Kang holding Cassie hostage, Ant-Man agrees to retrieve the “multiverse core,” which Kang needs to power his ship and leave the quantum realm. As Ant-Man approaches the core, he splits into multiple copies of himself. Over the radio, Darren Cross / M.O.D.O.K. explains, “You’re looking at the possibility of another you. You’re in a probability storm,” and that it is “Every choice you could make, existing all at once.”
These may be references to quantum superposition, a phenomenon where an object can be in a mixture of possible outcomes. One cannot simultaneously see all these possible outcomes, however, so the movie’s depiction is fictional. Instead, when observing the object, only one outcome is seen, with a likelihood given by some probability. “Probability storm” is not a scientific term and appears to be made up by Marvel for the film, but it does fit the probabilistic nature of quantum measurement.
Darren also quips, “You’re in Schrödinger’s box and you’re the cat.” This is a reference to Schrödinger’s Cat, a thought experiment where a hypothetical cat in a box could be in a quantum superposition of simultaneously alive and dead. In the movie, instead of the cat being in a superposition of multiple possible outcomes, Ant-Man is.
Many additional topics were introduced in previous films, which we will not discuss here, other than to say that my article on The Physics of Avengers: Endgame explores time travel and parallel universes. One could also examine whether ants could develop into a type 2 civilization, but I will leave that to others with more relevant expertise.
Even though the science in Quantumania is not very accurate, the visibility that it gives to quantum physics does make a positive impact. After all, the fact that you are reading this article is a testament to the film’s ability to stimulate interest in quantum science.
If you would like to learn more about quantum physics, The Quantum Atlas is a good place to start. Also, consider celebrating World Quantum Day on April 14, which the White House is celebrating by encouraging K-12 classroom activities and classroom visits by quantum scientists.
