Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) have made significant progress in quantum technology by demonstrating an efficient way of coupling photons with acoustic phonons. This method shows exceptional resistance to external disturbances, which is often a challenge in quantum systems. Their research was published in the journal "Physical Review Letters".

Quantum Coupling: The Foundation of Quantum Technologies

Quantum coupling allows the state of one particle to instantaneously affect the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. This phenomenon is crucial for the development of secure quantum communications and advanced quantum computers. Traditionally, coupling is achieved between photons through nonlinear optical processes. However, researchers at MPL have succeeded in coupling photons with phonons, quasiparticles that represent sound waves, using Brillouin scattering.

Brillouin Scattering: The Bridge Between Light and Sound

Brillouin scattering is a nonlinear optical effect that enables interaction between light and sound waves within a material. Through this process, photons and phonons can be linked, creating hybrid quantum systems. This method provides a stable and efficient platform for quantum applications, especially in environments where external disturbances are present.

Resistance to External Disturbances

One of the main challenges in quantum technologies is sensitivity to external disturbances that can disrupt quantum coupling. The method developed at MPL demonstrates high resistance to such disturbances, which is crucial for practical applications in quantum communications and computing.

Application in Quantum Communications

The coupling of photons and phonons opens new possibilities for developing quantum communication systems. Phonons, due to their nature, can serve as quantum memory, while photons enable the transmission of information over long distances. This combination can lead to more efficient and secure communication channels.

The Future of Quantum Computing

In quantum computing, the coupling of different quantum states is essential for information processing. Integrating photons and phonons can enable the development of new quantum logic circuits that are more resistant to disturbances and more efficient in operation.

Practical Implementation

Researchers have demonstrated that their method can be applied in optical fibers and photonic integrated chips. This flexibility allows for wide application in existing technologies and facilitates integration into future quantum systems.

Operation at Higher Temperatures

One of the significant successes of this method is the ability to operate at temperatures higher than standard approaches, which often require expensive equipment like diluted refrigerators. The method developed at MPL can be used in conditions with temperatures up to tens of Kelvin, reducing costs and simplifying implementation.

Source: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light