Scientists have built the world's smallest quantum computer

Scientists have reached an important stage in the field of quantum computing. They have actually developed the world's smallest quantum computer. The size of a simple desktop computer, it also operates at room temperature. This promising development could revolutionize the world of quantum computing, which has long been restricted to massive systems that are extremely expensive to maintain at extremely low temperatures.

Quantum computer, how does it work?

A Quantum computer It is the machine that is used Qubit To perform calculations. Unlike the bits in classical computers, which can only be in a binary state (0 or 1), quantum bits use overlap Quantum, meaning it can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows a quantum computer to process an enormous amount of data in parallel, making some calculations significantly faster than a classical computer.

However, the main obstacle to quantum computing lies in the complexity of qubits. Most superconducting qubits must already be maintained at temperatures Very coldclose to absolute zero (-273°C), to function properly. At these temperatures, superconducting materials could maintain a stable quantum state and enable powerful calculations, but this infrastructure does not exist. Complex, expensive and takes up a lot of space. It takes huge machines, specialized quantum refrigerators, and huge amounts of energy to maintain these temperatures.

New approach

This is where the new approach developed as part of… He studies Recently published in the journal Physical Review Applied, a team of researchers has built a quantum computer using… Photon (a particle of light) in the form of a qubit. This approach, called photonic quantum computing, avoids the need for extreme cooling as photons can maintain their quantum state at Room temperature.

In detail, this new quantum computer works using a single photon embedded in a ring-shaped optical fiber. This single photon stores information in a very special way: it uses 32 time periods (or what researchers call dimensions). This means that in this computer, a single photon is able to process and store information in 32 different states simultaneously. This greatly increases the processing power of the computer while using a very lightweight component.

Note that optical quantum computers containing hundreds of photons already exist, but they are difficult to manage. Therefore, the researchers preferred to focus on making a smaller machine with a single stable photon.

Of course, this experience was not easy. Photons appear randomly and are difficult to control. Another challenge is storing enough information inside, which requires advanced techniques to accurately manage time slots. Recent advances in fiber-optic technologies, which allow light to be directed more precisely, have been key to overcoming these hurdles and making this advance in optical quantum computing possible.

Why is this important?

One of the biggest advantages of this new device is its small size and ease of use. Unlike traditional quantum computers, which are often bulky and power-hungry, this computer can do just that It operates at room temperature and is the size of a typical desktop computer. This means they use much less energy, have lower operating costs, and can be used in more diverse environments without the need for complex infrastructure.

In addition, this technique is more stable than other methods that use trapped ion qubits that require complex lasers to fine-tune quantum states. This optical system therefore represents a more practical and promising alternative for the future of quantum computing.

Although this optical quantum computer is still in the proof-of-concept stage, researchers already have ambitions to develop it further. They seek to increase the storage capacity of a single photon to allow the machine to process more complex calculations. This technology could eventually compete with larger quantum systems and offer more accessible solutions for researchers and industries.

Another promising aspect is that this optical system can be easily integrated into future quantum communication networks. Computers using photons can connect to systems that already use light to transmit data, facilitating integration with existing infrastructure.