Achieving Quantum Computing with Diamond and Lithium Niobate

Saturday - December 16 2023, 19:39 UTC - 11 months ago

Stanford University researchers have combined nanosized diamond and lithium niobate structures onto a single chip to prove the viability of quantum computing technology. With successful communication of light between the diamond and lithium niobate and an efficiency rate of 92%, this integration of materials shows promise for use in applications like frequency modulation and shaping for quantum information processing.

Quantum computing shows promise in developing healthcare-based applications for improving medications, diagnostics, and other techniques, Dr Shohini Ghose told Interesting Engineering in a podcast interview while addressing the future of the technology. Listen to Lexicon by IE, podcast – What is Quantum Computing? below .

The science realm has recently observed several breakthroughs in this field, including the discovery of the latest material combination that could form a core component for future quantum technologies, according to a statement by the scientists. Amalgamation of diamond and lithium niobate .

Diamond and lithium niobate are two compounds demonstrated by scientists to show proof for developing quantum technologies. Quantum information scientists and researchers from Stanford University led by Amir Safavi-Naeini and Jelena Vuckovic, supported by Hope Lee, paper co-author and a Ph.D. student, and Jason Herrmann, paper co-author, and a Ph.D. student, demonstrated the potential of the materials. They combined nanosized structures made of diamond and lithium niobate onto a single chip, according to the study.

After that, researchers directed light from the diamond towards the lithium niobate and estimated the proportion of light that effectively traversed between the two materials. This successful transfer of light demonstrated a more effective connection between the materials, signifying a promising aspect for utilizing this combination in quantum devices. 92 percent jump .

The experiment's outcome depicted an impressive transition of light by over 90 percent from the diamond to the lithium niobate. Scientists stating the results expressed: "An extraordinary 92 percent of the light made the jump from diamond to lithium niobate." .

"By putting these two material platforms together and channeling light from one to the other, we show that, instead of working with just one material, you can really have the best of both worlds, stated Hope Lee from Stanford University."It was an exciting result to get 92% efficiency from this device," added Lee. ​"It showed the advantages of the platform." .

This integration enables the manipulation of light's properties, such as frequency modulation and shaping, which are beneficial for various experiments and applications in quantum information processing. The statement emphasized that qubits, which are units of quantum information, are the carriers of information in quantum systems. In quantum computing, qubits are fundamental in transmitting information as particles of light between the diamond and lithium niobate materials.

The research team designed a new chip that serves as a foundation for a stable stationary qubit. A strong stationary qubit ensures reliable quantum networks. With dependable qubits, these networks can cover greater distances, potentially spanning continents, enabling the secure transmission of quantum information over vast geographical areas.

Material successfully supports stationary qubit chip .

Scientists say that diamonds are one such resource sought after to support such transmissions due to their easiness to couple qubits with photons, which aids in sustaining long-distance signals. The new research showed that diamond can be used to transfer light to the chip containing static qubits. Liobite, which is a material known for creating qubits, can then be used to generate single particle photons to be read from the chip.

The statement Toby S. Jeffrey, from the paper's research team, noted: “This material has a range of different properties that make it a really good choice in the realm of quantum computing." .