QUANTUM SCIENCE In a new breakthrough, researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with the Ruhr University in Bochum, have solved a problem (Physicists achieved a very important nanoscale breakthrough) that has caused headaches for quantum researchers for years. Researchers can control two quantum light sources instead of one. Although it may seem like a nonsensical phenomenon in quantum science, this great advance allows researchers to create what is known as quantum mechanical entanglement. This opens up new ways for companies and others to use technology for business benefit.
Going from one to two is a minor task in most cases. But in the world of quantum physics, this is very important. For many years, researchers around the world have tried to create a stable quantum light source and achieve what is known as quantum mechanical entanglement – a phenomenon with properties close to science fiction, where two light sources can influence each other, they immediately and can be more distant.
Synchronization is the basis of quantum networks and is essential for the development of efficient quantum computers. Today, researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute published new results in a highly respected scientific journal, in which they managed to do just that. According to Professor Peter Lodahl, one of the researchers (Physicists achieved a very important nanoscale breakthrough) responsible for this result, this is a very important step in the effort to advance the development of quantum technology to the next level and to “quantize” industrial computers, privacy on the internet.
“Now we can control two quantum light sources and connect them to each other. It may not seem like much, but it is a big step forward and builds on 20 years the end of the work. In doing so, we have uncovered the key to advanced technology, which is crucial for the fastest possible application,” said Professor Peter Lodahl, who has conducted research in this area since 2001.
The magic happens with the so-called nanochip – which is no bigger than the diameter of a human hair – which researchers have been developing in recent years.
Quantum computing is more than the world’s most powerful computer
Peter Lodahl’s team is working on a type of quantum technology that uses particles of light, called photons, as microcarriers to transport quantum information around.
Although Lodahl’s team is a leader in this field of quantum physics, they can only control one light at a time so far. In fact, the light source is very sensitive to external “noise” which makes it difficult to model. In their new results, the research team managed to create two quantum light sources rather than one. “Addition means that by controlling one light source, you directly affect the other. Work quantum bit in the same way as a normal computer chip, but more powerful,” said postdoc Alexey Tiranov, who writes the book says.
In fact, a quantum bit can be both 1 and 0, which translates into processing power that cannot be achieved with current computer technology. According to Professor Lodahl, just 100 photons from a single quantum light source will contain more information than a supercomputer can process.
By using 20-30 quantum light sources connected together, it will be possible to create a universal, error-correcting computer – the most “holy grail” for quantum technology, which is widely deployed by large computer companies billion.
Other actors will depend on the analysis
According to Lodahl, the biggest challenge lies in controlling the same two-quantum light source. Among other things, this requires researchers to create nanochips that are quieter and better control each light source.
With this new research, a fundamental discovery in quantum physics is now available. Now is the time for other players to take on the role of researchers and use it in their quest to bring quantum physics to a variety of technologies, including computers, the Internet and privacy.
“It is very expensive for a university to build a building where we control 15 to 20 quantum light sources. So now that we have contributed to the understanding of basic quantum physics and taken the first step on the way, raising the surface is a technical task,” says Professor Lodahl.
The research was carried out at the “Center of Excellence for Hybrid Quantum Networks (Hy-Q)” of the Danish National Research Foundation and is a collaboration between the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany and the Niels Bohr Institute from the University of Copenhagen.
