The miniaturization of quantum computers is progressing rapidly, and researchers have just taken a new step by developing a quantum computer based on a single photon, promising to shake up the field.
A photon to calculate? This is the challenge met by Taiwanese scientists, who have developed a machine capable of carrying out calculations using light, without requiring extreme cooling.
Traditional quantum computers use qubits capable of quantum superposition, but they require temperatures near absolute zero, a major obstacle. This new device offers an innovative photonic approach: a single photon, guided in an optical fiber, stores and processes data in 32 different quantum states, eliminating the need for extreme temperatures. Photonics technology offers a more efficient energy alternative, without the bulk of massive quantum refrigerators. This prototype paves the way for compact quantum computers, adapted to common environments.
Compared to qubits based on trapped ions, this device is more stable. These qubits are very sensitive to disturbances and require sophisticated cooling systems and lasers. In this new computer, the size of a box, light performs the calculation, and its 32 quantum states considerably increase its processing power while remaining miniaturized.
The potential applications are vast. This innovation could transform areas such as logistics, artificial intelligence, data security and thepharmaceutical industry.
Further progress is expected. The team hopes to further increase computing capacity to tackle more complex problems, while developing quantum communications networks.
What is a quantum computer?
A quantum computer uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations in a fundamentally different classic computers. Unlike bits, which take the value 0 or 1, qubits exploit phenomena like superposition, allowing them to exist in multiple states simultaneously. This capacity allows parallel processing of data, unattainable by traditional systems.
Qubits take advantage of entanglement, a phenomenon where two qubits, even if far apart, remain linked. If the state of one changes, the other adjusts instantly, regardless of distance. Thanks to this interconnection, a quantum computer can perform complex calculations, such as molecular modeling or encryption, requiring power exponential.
For a quantum computer to be effective, the qubits must remain stable. Most systems require temperatures close to absolute zero (-273°C) to limit disruption, which requires expensive and bulky infrastructure. However, new approaches such as photonic computing, which uses photons at room temperature, offer promising solutions to make this technology more accessible.
