In a major breakthrough for the field of quantum technology, physicists at the U.S. This breakthrough, led by Ph.D. candidate Michael Dobinson and his research team, advances the quest for scalable quantum computers, potentially revolutionizing industries such as chemistry, materials science, medicine, and cybersecurity.
The newly engineered device allows for convenient optical control of T centers. It provides electrical control, further increasing the versatility of these critical components for quantum computing. The innovation positions the team to explore various applications and assess the feasibility of scaling these devices into larger quantum processors.
A Step Forward in Quantum Computing
The recent breakthroughs in silicon-based quantum technology remove yet another obstacle on the path to practical quantum computers becoming a reality. No wonder these emerging fields have attracted big bets from national governments and elite universities. Corporate titans such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft are not far behind, investing billions themselves towards building a quantum computer at scale.
Daniel Higginbottom, an assistant professor of physics who helped lead the study, noted that this is an important milestone. He stated, “Previously, we controlled these qubits, called T centers, optically (with lasers). Now we’re introducing electrical control as well, which increases the device capability and is a step toward applications in a scalable quantum computer.”
Building upon the work of 2020’s winner Simon Fraser University (SFU), they’re making the case for silicon T centers as quantum application powerhouses. Recent innovations have only pushed this trend further. With an eye towards future applications, the team is presently working on building these T centers in concert with patterned nanophotonic devices.
Collaboration and Innovation
The study flourished thanks to the teamwork with Photonic Inc. Christian Dangel, the firm’s head of quantum devices, and a co-author of the study manuscript. Dangel remarked on the importance of this partnership: “This project was a great opportunity to leverage Photonic’s advanced fabrication capabilities and test their performance in next-generation devices in a research environment.”
Our collaborative research team performed doggedly to reach an extraordinary milestone. Then, to top all that off, they demonstrated the first-ever electrically-injected singly-photon source realized in silicon. This is an enormous feat in itself. Aside from the fundamental discovery, it showcases the potential for parallel optical and electrical control of T centers, opening up new avenues for scalable quantum computing and networking.
Implications for Future Research
As the field of quantum computing develops, this research creates interesting avenues for further study. Electrical and optical control methods combine to enhance the capabilities of silicon-based quantum devices. This unique and powerful combination sets the stage for groundbreaking new creative innovations to emerge.
Michael Dobinson expressed excitement over the implications of their findings: “This first demonstration shows that we can fabricate devices which allow for simultaneous optical and electrical control of T centers. This is exciting as it opens the door to many applications in quantum computing and networking.”
Our research team looks forward to investigating a range of potential applications for these devices. Perhaps most importantly, their work could lead to the development of future robust and more scalable quantum processors. As they explore this promising technology, the potential to provide computing power well beyond that of today’s supercomputers becomes increasingly tangible.