According to University of St Andrews research, a special form of light created using an ancient Namibian gem could unlock the secrets to new light-based quantum computer systems that could solve long-standing scientific mysteries.
This research was done in collaboration with scientists from Harvard University in the US, Macquarie University, Australia and Aarhus University, Denmark. It was published in nature Materials.used a naturally extracted cuprous oxide (Cu 2O), a Namibian gemstone, to create Rydberg Polaritons ,the most massive hybrid particles of light, matter, and light ever created.
Rydberg polaritons change constantly from light to matter, and back again. Rydberg Polaritons are made up of light and matter, which is like two sides to a coin. The matter side is what allows polaritons to interact with one another.
This interaction is vital because it allows quantum simulators to be created. These special types of quantum computers store information in quantum bits. Contrary to binary bits that can only be 1 or 0 in traditional computers, these quantum bits can accept any value between 0-1. These quantum bits can store more information and perform multiple processes at once.
This ability could enable quantum simulators solve many mysteries in physics, biology and chemistry, such as how to make superconductors at high temperatures for highspeed trains, how to make cheaper fertilizers that could help to end global hunger, and how proteins fold to allow for easier production of more effective drugs.
Hamid Ohadi (the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews) is the project lead. He said that “Making quantum simulators with light” was the ultimate goal of science. Rydberg Polaritons, which are the key ingredient in it, have been created. This is a major step towards that goal.
The researchers used two reflective mirrors to trap light in order to create Rydberg Polaritons. To create Rydberg Polaritons, the researchers used a cuprous oxide crystal taken from Namibian stone. The slab was 30 micrometers thick and was polished to that thickness.
Dr. Sai Kiran Rajendran of the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews said that it was simple to buy the stone online. It was difficult to create Rydberg Polaritons in a very narrow color range.
These methods are being refined by the team in order to investigate the possibility of creating quantum circuits. This is the next step for quantum simulators.