Physicists Find The 'Missing Link' That Could Provide Quantum Internet Technology

Scientists have a number of difficult problems to overcome before quantum computers and quantum networks can fulfill their huge potential.

Recent research shows the potential for storing quantum bits in the Silicon material that our classical computing components are made out of.

Next-level quantum computing performance can be achieved with a variety of types of qubits.

Physicists have been able to get more advanced and more stable with Silicon qubits, but there is a question of linking them together at scale. The research shows that defects in the Silicon can act as light-based links between qubits.

"An emitter like the T center that combines high- performance spin qubits and optical photon generation is ideal to makeScalable, distributed, quantum computers," says quantum physicist

They can handle both the communications and the processing at the same time.

It's a more efficient system and it's easier to build. It's the first time that this type of quantum particle activity has been observed in the lab and it's more proof that it's a viable way forward.

T centers emit light at the same wavelength as current fiber communications networks. It would be easier to roll out quantum internet technology.

Simmons says that it is possible to build quantum processors that communicate with other processors.

The benefits for connecting millions of qubits needed for quantum computing are the same as when your Silicon qubit emits light in the same band used in data centers and fiber networks.

The researchers used special techniques to confirm that each of the tiny devices had a small number of T centers that could be individually addressed and controlled.

There's still a lot of work to be done to make qubits more reliable and accurate so they can be used correctly.

We already have years of manufacturing expertise and equipment to call on, and that in turn means a smooth transition to quantum computing if that future can be based on Silicon.

Simmons says that by finding a way to create quantum computing processors in Silicon, you can take advantage of all of the years of development, knowledge, and infrastructure used to manufacture conventional computers.

The research was published in a journal.