Develop the most compact quantum computer on the planet.
The device operates using a single photon, which is a particle of light, integrated into an optical fiber arranged in a ring shape.
A team of researchers from a Chinese university has made significant progress in the field of quantum computing by developing the smallest computer on the planet, which operates at room temperature and resembles a conventional desktop computer. This innovative machine uses a single photon, or particle of light, housed in a ring-shaped optical fiber, according to a study published on September 3 in a specialized journal.
The device, which represents a concept that is still in the experimental phase, is capable of performing mathematical calculations, including the factorization of prime numbers, such as decomposing the number 15 into 5 x 3. The scientists successfully built a system that performs mathematical operations without the need for refrigeration, allowing it to have dimensions comparable to those of a traditional desktop PC.
The quantum computer utilizes information contained in “32 time intervals or dimensions” within the wave packet of a single photon, as explained by Chuu Chih-sung, a professor of quantum optics at Tsing Hua University in Taiwan. This development establishes a new world record for the number of computational dimensions that can be manipulated using a single qubit. Unlike superconducting qubits, which require extremely cold conditions, photons can maintain a stable quantum state at room temperature.
The advantage of this quantum machine is that it consumes less energy and is more cost-effective to operate. Moreover, it offers greater efficiency compared to systems that utilize trapped ion qubits, which depend on complex lasers to properly adjust their quantum state. Chuu and his team have managed to pack all this information into a stable photon, which can be likened to converting a bicycle into a 32-car train that can carry many passengers. Regarding the future, the researchers plan to enhance the storage capacity of a single photon to enable it to perform more complex calculations.
