Successfully fabricated quantum circuit breaker

Recently, a group of researchers at Harvard University led by Dr. Mikhail Lukin successfully built a quantum circuit breaker capable of turning on and off using a single photon.

Scientists consider this a breakthrough technological achievement that could pave the way for creating quantum computer networks with extremely high security in the future. Detailed information about the study by Dr. Lukin and colleagues has been published in the April issue of Nature.

According to scientists, quantum computing will create a revolution in the computer industry with only one atom but has the ability to enhance processing speed, power and exponential security. compared to current computer generations. Although quantum computers have not really been needed for the majority of users up to this point, for scientists or experts, this is an essential tool for research. rescue requires processing and analyzing extremely large blocks of data.

Dr. Lukin said: "Conceptually, the idea of ​​research is very simple: Push conventions on closing / opening normal switches up to its final limit. It can be understood. What we can do here is to use an atom as a switch, depending on its state, you can close or open the flow of photons as you like. put together will work like a true quantum computer ".

Dr. Lukin (left) and colleagues at Harvard University

According to Dr. Lukin, the team will continue to study the technology to apply fiber-optic cables as an encryption tool with extremely high security. Using quantum circuit breakers will allow the transmission of information within a range of tens to thousands of kilometers safely.

To do that, the team developed a device that combines traditional photon circuit breakers with vacuum tubes. Dr Lukin said: "Since modern computer formation and development today use vacuum tubes integrated in circuit boards. If the quantum computer system is developed, it will still be used. Vacuum tube technology is similar to isolating and holding a single atom with an electromagnetic field. "

Although built by the traditional method, the research team's chips re-use light to operate instead of electricity. These chips are equipped with nanotechnology, which basically has the ability to control the path of light, thereby creating circuit boards and connecting to fiber optic cables.

After the fiber optic cables were placed in the vacuum chamber, the researchers used a laser "optical clamp" to "capture" an atom and cool it to almost zero temperature. , the atom will be moved within a few hundred nanometers in the chip and perform its opening and closing tasks.

Dr. Lukin added: "To achieve this is still not simple, atoms used as switches must exist in a special superposition state. This state makes atoms extremely fragile and When the photons collide, the state of the atom changes, it's the cyclical state change that allows it to perform the task like a valve, close or open depending on the state. "

Currently, the system of the research team is still very primitive. Dr. Lukin also predicts that the quantum computer network model still needs to be studied at least for the next decade to become widely applicable. However, early successes opened up a vivid prospect of a superior computer network technology in the future.