Search
Menu
PI Physik Instrumente - Revolution In Photonics Align LW LB 3/24

Laser Controls Quantum State in Diamond

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
Laser light has successfully been combined with trapped electrons to detect and control the electrons' fragile quantum state without erasing it. This is an important step toward using quantum physics to expand computing power and to communicate over long distances without the possibility of eavesdropping.

The research by physicists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, exploits an unusual property of the microscopic quantum world — the ability to combine things that are very different. The investigation was led by David Awschalom, professor of physics, electrical and computer engineering, and director of the university’s Center for Spintronics and Quantum Computation, as well as graduate student Bob Buckley.

Using electrons trapped in a single atom-sized defect within a thin crystal of diamond, combined with laser light of precisely the right color, the scientists showed that it was possible to briefly form a mixture of light and matter. After forming this light-matter mixture, they were able to use measurements of the light to determine the state of the electrons.

Likewise, by separately examining the electrons, they showed that the electron configuration was not destroyed by the light. Instead, it was modified — a dramatic demonstration of control over quantum states using light.

"Manipulating the quantum state of a single electron in a semiconductor without destroying the information represents an extremely exciting scientific development with potential technological impact," said Awschalom.

Preserving quantum states is a major obstacle in the nascent field of quantum computing. One benefit of quantum information is that it can never be copied. Unlike information transferred between today's computers, it provides a measure of security that is safeguarded by fundamental laws of nature. The ability to measure a quantum state without destroying it is an important step in the development of technologies that harness the advantages of the quantum world.

"Diamond may someday become for a quantum computer what silicon is for digital computers today — the building blocks of logic, memory, and communication. Our experiment provides a new tool to make that happen," said Buckley.

For more information, visit:  www.awsch-web.physics.ucsb.edu 



Gentec Electro-Optics Inc   - Measure Your Laser MR

Published: November 2010
Glossary
light
Electromagnetic radiation detectable by the eye, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 750 nm. In photonic applications light can be considered to cover the nonvisible portion of the spectrum which includes the ultraviolet and the infrared.
nano
An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
AmericasBob BuckleyCommunicationsDavid Awschalomdefensediamondelectronslightmatternanoquantum computersquantum physicsquantum statesResearch & TechnologySanta BarbaraScience ExpresssecurityUniversity of CaliforniaLasers

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.