 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Chip
stores single photons
Materials that contain the right concentrations of rare earth ions can store the quantum state of a photon at extremely low temperatures and reemit the photon as much as a microsecond later. Rare earth elements are widely used in magnets and superconductors.
Researchers have stored whole light beams in similar solids, and have stored single photons in gases. The new material is another key step toward quantum memory chips, which are the critical component of quantum networks.
Quantum networks would extend the range of theoretically perfectly secure quantum cryptographic systems, and could connect quantum computers. Quantum computers have the potential to perform tasks like cracking secret codes that are beyond the reach of ordinary computers.
Research paper:
A Solid-state Light–Matter Interface at the Single-Photon Level
Nature, December 11, 2008
Researchers' homepage:
Group of Applied Physics, University of Geneva
Related stories and briefs:
Quantum nets advance -- related research
Back to TRN December 22/29, 2008
View from the High Ground Q&A
How It Works
RSS Feeds:
News
| Blog
Ad links: Clear History
Buy an ad link
© Copyright Technology Research News 2000-2010. All rights reserved.
