By Freeman ya Ngulu.
A special type of light created using an ancient Namibian gemstone may be the key to a new light-based quantum computer that could solve a long-standing scientific mystery, in new research led by Britain’s University of St Andrews. It was discovered that there is
In this study, it was discovered that naturally mined copper oxide (CuO) gemstones from Namibia could be used to create Rydberg polaritons, the largest hybrid particles of light and matter ever created.
The Rydberg polariton is constantly switching from light to matter and vice versa. Light and matter are like two sides of the same coin, the Rydberg polariton, and the matter side causes the polaritons to interact with each other.
This interaction is of great importance as it enables the development of quantum simulators, a class of quantum computers in which information is stored in qubits. Unlike binary bits in traditional computers, which can only be 0 or 1, qubits can take an infinite number of values between 0 and 1. As a result, it can store more information and run multiple processes at the same time.
Investigating scientific mysteries:
In a paper published in the journal Nature Materials, the researchers behind the discovery said the feature could help solve important mysteries in physics, chemistry and biology, such as how to make high-temperature superconductors for high-speed trains. He explains that it may be possible to solve it with a quantum simulator. , how to make cheap fertilizers that could solve global hunger, or how proteins fold to make it easier to produce more effective medicines.
“Creating quantum simulators with light is the holy grail of science,” said project leader Hamid Ohadi in a press release. “By developing a key component, Rydberg his Polariton, we have taken a big step forward.”
The researchers trapped light between two highly reflective mirrors to generate the Rydberg polariton using cuprous oxide crystals found in a Namibian quarry.
A cuprous oxide crystal mined in Namibia was thinned and polished into a 30-micrometer slab before being sandwiched between two mirrors to produce a Rydberg polariton 100 times larger than previously demonstrated. rice field.
Following this work, the team decided to further refine these methods to investigate the possibility of creating the next component of quantum simulators: quantum circuits.
Cuprous oxide is a crystal mined from Namibia used to create the Rydberg Polariton. (Photo credit: University of St. Andrews).
