An Ancient Namibian Stone Could Hold The Key to Unlocking Quantum Computers

[Judi Lynn]

DAVID NIELD19 APRIL 2022



Cuprous oxide crystal. (University of St Andrews)

One of the ways we can fully realize the potential of quantum computers is by basing them on both light and matter – this way, information can be stored and processed, but also travel at the speed of light.

Scientists have just taken a step closer to this goal, by successfully producing the largest hybrid particles of light and matter ever created.

These quasiparticles, known as Rydberg polaritons, were made with the help of a piece of stone containing cuprous oxide (Cu2O) crystals from an ancient deposit in Namibia, one of the few places in the world where cuprous oxide has been found in gemstone quality.

The crystal retrieved from the stone was polished and thinned to less than the width of a human hair and sandwiched between two mirrors to trap light, resulting in Rydberg polaritons 100 times larger than any previously seen.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/an-ancient-namibian-stone-could-hold-the-key-to-unlocking-quantum-computers

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Bitcoin Turbo will be a great investment

[eppur_se_muova]

2. If they need more gem-quality Cu2O, they can grow it.

Cheaper to buy it for the first experiments, but if they can grow synthetic sapphire, rutile, and spinel, they can sure grow Cu2O.

[Atticus]

3. Again, I am in awe of the reading you must do in order to consistently post such uniquely

INTERESTING articles.

I wish I could say I understand exactly what a "Rydberg polariton" is, but I hope just knowing they exist helps promote this work. The concept is FASCINATING!

Thank you for shining light into the well of my mind.

[Wounded Bear]

4. Cool stuff! Thanks for the link...nt