Communications of the ACM
Quantum Computing Moves Forward
Quantum-based technologies exploit the physical rules that govern very small particles, such as atoms and electrons. New technologies based on "spintronics" would be much more powerful than current technologies.
Credit: Space Mart
Princeton University researchers are developing technologies that exploit quantum behavior for computing and other applications.
"We are really excited about the possibilities of new semiconductor materials and new experimental systems that have become available in the last decade," says Princeton professor Jason Petta.
For example, the researchers have developed the ability to control quantum units of information, known as qubits, at room temperature using diamond-based materials. They also have developed the ability to control the qubits for several seconds before they fall back into classical behavior.
Last autumn, the team published a study showing the coupling of a spin qubit to a photon, which serves as a shuttle for the quantum information. The researchers say they now need to find ways to transmit quantum information over long distances, and to scale up the number of qubits from a few to hundreds.
Petta notes excitement is building for applications for new sensing and imaging technologies rather than for computing. "There has been a change in the way we think about quantum mechanics--now we are thinking about quantum-enabled technologies, such as using a spin qubit as a sensitive magnetic field detector to probe biological systems," he says.
From Princeton University
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