Communications of the ACM
Researchers se Light and Sound Waves to Control Electron States
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a system that combines light and sound to control electron states in an atom-like system.
Credit: University of Oregon
University of Oregon researchers have combined light and sound to control electron states in an atom-like system, which they say provides new tools for the development of quantum-computing systems.
The work was conducted on a diamond topped with a layer of zinc oxide containing electrical conductors and performed at a temperature of 8 degrees Kelvin. Using sound waves known as surface acoustic waves to change electron states could result in data transfer between quantum bits, according to the researchers.
"What we have accomplished could lead to a new architecture--a new way--to design a computer chip," says Oregon professor Hailin Wang.
Wang says the breakthrough could lead to acoustic circuits, as well as potential applications in future quantum computers.
The researchers added sound waves by building a tiny speaker on the surface of the diamond. The sound waves move across the surface of the diamond and interact with the nitrogen vacancy center. The researchers then used lasers to monitor the light being emitted, which enabled them to confirm the electron states had been changed.
Wang says using this tool, which is based on both light and sound, can help create logic gates that enable qubits to talk to each other.
From University of Oregon
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