NIST Scientists Use Microwaves to Quantum-Entangle Two Ions for the First Time

By Clay Dillow Posted 08.10.2011 at 1:00 pm 8 Comments

NIST's Microwave Ion Entangler Y. Colombe/NIST

We’re still many years away from the first functioning quantum computer the size of a building, much less the first one the size of a desktop computer or a smartphone, but researchers at the National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST) are already moving toward smaller quantum computing devices. For the first time, physicists there have entangled two ions using microwaves rather than the usual array of laser beams, paving the way for miniaturized, easy-to-commercialize quantum computing technologies.

Quantum computers would leverage the unique properties of the quantum world to solve huge computing problems--problems our best and biggest classical supercomputers can’t cope with. But first we have to gain precise control over those particles, turning them into quantum analogs for our classical computer bits.

Ions are a good candidate for those quantum bits, or “qubits”--the basic building blocks of the quantum computing scheme. And the ability to manipulate ions with microwaves to achieve quantum entanglement--a phenomenon in which the properties of two separated ions become linked (and a central pillar of information storage and transfer in the quantum scheme)--is huge.

Microwaves are already used to carry wireless communications. The technology used to generate and control them is well understood, ubiquitous, and therefore relatively inexpensive. And while there is still a need for an ultraviolet laser to cool and measure the ions in a microwave entanglement setup, it’s a low-power laser that could feasibly be scaled down to the size of those lasers used in portable optical readers like CD or DVD players.

The rest of the technology also packs significantly less bulk. The entire layout described by the NIST researchers in an upcoming issue of the journal Nature is tabletop-size, or roughly one-tenth as big as the usual room-sized “laser park” needed to generate controlled ion entanglement with light. As the technology develops, the team thinks they could scale a microwave device down to the size of a desktop computer, and perhaps someday even a tablet or smartphone device (for a more detailed, technical explanation of how this technology works, click through). Microwaves also demonstrate other quantum computing advantages, like the ability to reduce errors caused by instabilities in laser beams.

But there’s still a long way to go before microwave technology unseats laser tech in the pursuit of practical quantum computing. The NIST team could only achieve entanglement with microwaves about 76 percent of the time. The best laser schemes miss less than one percent of the time.

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8 Comments

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BubbaGump

08/10/11 at 2:43 pm

Personally, I think the space aliens have visited us many times in the past and exist in our life time now. They are just incredibly intelligent and so stealthy and do not want to be found. We can keep building antennas, but if they wish yp hide and reflect our signals or they exist on another dimension of life, it could be a long time to we do find them. Our scientist could actually be searching for truly invisable people and there is the problem. Trying to find someone who does not wish to be found.

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BubbaGump

08/10/11 at 2:45 pm

oops, post wrong place, lol.

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GinjaNinja

08/10/11 at 3:43 pm

lol buba gump that comment makes me think of thinks liek teh mass effect books, or sumthing thats been watching us for ages and just doesnt want us to know, as the observe and see what life is liek for another species.... kinda makes me think, maybe were just sume huge giant science experiment? lol or maybe on mars or the moon we will find a relic liek in mass effect, where another species left it as a mwarker to jump forward our techologies in mere years rather tehn decades
We're on the brink of so many advances in technology its impossible to conceive what will come in our lifetime. Don't comment on my spelling, i know it sucks, i jsut dont care ;)

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jareds

08/10/11 at 9:01 pm

It makes me angry that humanity can not give credit to there fellow man for there invasions! Why must we constantly look to other life forms for the cause of are own progress!!
I can understand that it might be dream big kind of thing... but still give credit were credit is dew!

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Vud3877

08/11/11 at 12:51 pm

I think this could have have amazing communication applications. Because quantum entangled particles react over a distance at the same time there is no transmission time. So in essence we could be getting close to having a deep space communication device that information is transmitted instantly without any time lag. this would be perfect for a unmanned mission using a robot that is man controlled.

The beauty of quantum mechanics is they don't follow the rules of general relativity! :)

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JediMindset

08/11/11 at 10:07 pm

Einstein would be proud.

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prime2011

08/12/11 at 7:40 am

Even thought much of society is in decay and heading towards oblivion it is comforting to know that some humans are progressing and improving their understanding of the universe.

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holoman

08/12/11 at 9:30 pm

The only problem is the technology borrows from
2 patents 1999 and applications from Colossal Storage Corp.

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