Researchers at Simon Fraser University have made an important breakthrough in the development of quantum technology. Their research, published in Naturedescribe their observations of silicon ‘T-centre’ photon-spin qubits, a milestone that opens up immediate opportunities for the creation of large-scale scalable quantum computers and the quantum internet. element will connect them.
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Quantum computing has enormous potential to provide computing power far beyond the capabilities of today’s supercomputers, which could make advances in many other fields, including chemistry, materials science, and more. , medicine and cybersecurity. To make this a reality, it is necessary to produce both stable, long-life qubits that provide processing power, as well as communication technology that allows these qubits to link together on a large scale.
Previous research has shown that silicon can make some of the most stable and long-lived qubits in the industry. Now, research published by Daniel Higginbottom, Alex Kurkjian and co-authors provides proof of principle that the T-center, a specific luminescence defect in silicon, can provide ‘photonic bonding’. ‘ between qubits.
This comes from SFU’s Silicon Quantum Technology Laboratory in SFU’s Department of Physics, co-led by Stephanie Simmons, Canadian Research Chair in Silicon Quantum Technology, and Michael Thewalt, Professor Emeritus. “This work is the first measurement of single T centers, and in fact the first measurement of any single spin in silicon made with optical measurement alone,” said Stephanie Simmons. Stephanie Simmons said.
“An emitter like the T-center that combines high-performance spin qubits and optical photon generation is ideal for creating distributed, scalable quantum computers, because they can handle the processing manage and communicate with each other, instead of needing to communicate two different quantum technologies, says Simmons: one for processing and the other for communication.
In addition, T-centers have the advantage of emitting light at the same wavelengths used by today’s urban fiber optic communications and telecommunications network equipment. “With T hubs, you can build quantum processors that communicate with other processors,” says Simmons. “When your silicon qubit can communicate by emitting photons (light) in the same frequency bands used in data centers and fiber optic networks, you get the same benefits of connecting connect the millions of qubits needed for quantum computing.”
Developing quantum technology using silicon offers the opportunity to scale up quantum computing rapidly. The global semiconductor industry has been able to produce silicon computer chips on a large scale with an astonishing level of precision. This technology forms the backbone of modern networks and computers, from smartphones to the world’s most powerful supercomputers.
“By figuring out how to make a quantum computing processor out of silicon, you can take advantage of all the years of development, knowledge, and infrastructure used to manufacture computers,” says Simmons. conventional, rather than creating an entirely new industry for quantum manufacturing. “This represents an almost insurmountable competitive advantage in the international race for quantum computers.”
Written by Erin Brown-John
Source: SFU
