Science has long understood some of the relationships between atoms and light via the field of quantum optics, but sound? The notion that atoms create sounds, or could even react to sounds, seemed unlikely, but here we are: Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology are the first people to ever use sound waves to “communicate” with an atom, albeit an artificial one.

“We have opened a new door into the quantum world by talking and listening to atoms”, says Per Delsing, head of the experimental research group. “Our long term goal is to harness quantum physics so that we can benefit from its laws, for example in extremely fast computers. We do this by making electrical circuits which obey quantum laws, that we can control and study.”

It would appear that in quantum mechanics, sound can operate much the same way light does. As part of an electrical circuit, an atom is charged with energy which is then emitted as particles. Though light is the usual choice, sound is apparently also effective. The sound emitted by the atom, being quantum particles, are the weakest sounds that can possibly be detected.

If anything, sound is a much more user-friendly method of working with quantum circuits. Because it travels 100,000 times more slowly than light, scientists have far more control over the atoms and their quantum particles. Sound’s shorter wavelength also offers increased flexibility. Because the atom can be so large compared to the wavelength, it can be customized to only react to certain frequencies, or to react strongly or weakly.

If you have hopes of one day being able to hear atoms “talk” with your own ears, don’t hold your breath: The scientists were using a frequency of 4.8 gigahertz, which equates to a D28 note. That’s 20 octaves higher than the highest note on a grand piano.