Ancient Namibian stone could hold key to future quantum computers

A new research led by the University of St Andrew claims that a special form of light made using an ancient Namibian gemstone could be the key to new light-based quantum computers.

The research used a naturally mined cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O) gemstone from Namibia to produce the largest hybrid particles, which were published in Nature Materials.

The polaritons switch from light to matter and back again. The matter side of a coin is what makes polaritons interact with each other.

This interaction is important because it allows for the creation of a quantum computer where information is stored in quantum bits. The quantum bits can take any value between 0 and 1. They can perform several processes at the same time.

This capability could allow quantum simulators to solve important mysteries of physics, chemistry and biology, for example, how to make high-temperature superconductors for highspeed trains, how cheaper fertilizers could be made potentially solving global hunger, or how proteins fold making it easier to produce more effective drugs.

Making a quantum simulator with light is the holy grail of science according to project lead Dr. Hamid Ohadi. We have taken a huge leap towards this by creating the key ingredient of it.

The researchers trapped light between two mirrors. The crystal was polished to a 30-micrometer thick slab and sandwiched between the two mirrors to make it 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, which is 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465, 888-282-0465 888-282-0465 888-282-0465

The stone was easy to purchase on eBay according to one of the leading authors. The challenge was to make rydberg polaritons that exist in a narrow color range.

The team is refining these methods in order to explore the possibility of making quantum circuits, which are the next ingredient for quantum simulators.

More information: Konstantinos Orfanakis et al, Rydberg exciton–polaritons in a Cu2O microcavity, Nature Materials (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01230-4 Citation: Ancient Namibian stone could hold key to future quantum computers (2022, April 15) retrieved 15 April 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-04-ancient-namibian-stone-key-future.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.