Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU), have developed an innovative method to produce entangled photon pairs using extraordinarily thin materials, potentially revolutionizing quantum computing technology. Led by Prof Gao Weibo, the team successfully created photon pairs using niobium oxide dichloride crystal flakes just 1.2 micrometers thick—approximately 80 times thinner than a human hair.
Traditionally, producing entangled photons required bulky optical equipment and millimeter-thick crystals. The new approach dramatically reduces component size while simplifying the production process. By stacking two thin crystal flakes with their crystalline grains positioned perpendicularly, the researchers achieved photon entanglement without additional optical instruments.
This breakthrough addresses a significant challenge in quantum computing: creating compact, efficient sources of entangled photons. Quantum computers rely on qubits—quantum bits that can simultaneously exist in multiple states, unlike classical computer switches. Photons are particularly promising as qubits because they can be produced and entangled at room temperature.
The potential implications of this research are profound. Quantum computers could revolutionize complex computational tasks across multiple disciplines, potentially solving problems in climate science, drug discovery, and data analysis that would take traditional supercomputers millions of years to complete.
Prof Sun Zhipei from Aalto University, an external expert, described the research as a “major advancement” with significant potential for quantum technology miniaturization and integration. The entangled photons behave like synchronized clocks, enabling instantaneous communication and more efficient quantum systems.
The NTU team’s future research aims to further optimize their approach. Potential improvements include exploring surface patterns on niobium oxide dichloride flakes to increase photon pair production and investigating how stacking different materials might enhance the process.
This groundbreaking method represents a significant step toward more compact, scalable quantum technologies. By reducing the size of quantum computing components by potentially 1,000 times, the research opens new possibilities for integrating advanced quantum capabilities into smaller, more accessible platforms.
The discovery highlights the ongoing innovation in quantum computing, demonstrating how sophisticated technological challenges can be addressed through creative scientific approaches and deep understanding of quantum mechanical principles.
Reference: “Van der Waals engineering for quantum-entangled photon generation” by Leevi Kallioniemi, Xiaodan Lyu, Ruihua He, Abdullah Rasmita, Ruihuan Duan, Zheng Liu and Weibo Gao, 14 October 2024, Nature Photonics. DOI: 10.1038/s41566-024-01545-5
