Lancaster University’s Manus Hayne is developing a patent on quantum technology for telecommunications with industrial partners. This is one of the molecular beam epitaxy reactors at Lancaster University used to grow quantum rings. Courtesy of Lancaster University. The patent will enable mobile devices with unprecedented speed, uncrackable security and lower cost. Future quantum and classical optical communication technology requires the mass production of very low-cost components that can be operated at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths. "We will assess the feasibility of mass-producing low-cost, single-photon sources in the form of single-photon light-emitting diodes (SPLEDs),” Hayne said. "These will exploit the unique properties of semiconductor nanostructures called self-assembled quantum rings, which we have recently used in novel vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) that operate at very low currents and at temperatures up to 110 °C."