In a breakthrough in quantum info storage, researchers have developed a technique to translate electrical quantum states into sound and vice versa, using phonons.
Quantum computing, identical to conventional computing, requires a technique to retailer the data it makes use of and processes. Within the pc you’re utilizing proper now, info—whether or not it’s images of your canine, a reminder a couple of pal’s birthday, or the phrases you’re typing into your browser’s deal with bar—have to be saved someplace. Quantum computing, a comparatively new subject, continues to be exploring the place and easy methods to retailer quantum info.
Modern Technique for Quantum Data Storage
In a paper printed not too long ago within the journal Nature Physics, Mohammad Mirhosseini, assistant professor {of electrical} engineering and utilized physics on the California Institute of Expertise (Caltech), reveals a brand new technique his lab developed for effectively translating electrical quantum states into sound and vice versa. This sort of translation could permit for storing quantum info ready by future quantum computer systems, that are more likely to be constituted of electrical circuits.
Mohammad Mirhosseini and his group have launched an modern technique to retailer quantum info by translating electrical quantum states into sound. The brand new method makes use of phonons and avoids the power loss related to earlier strategies. It permits longer storage durations and represents a big development within the subject of quantum computing. Credit score: Maayan Illustration
This technique makes use of what are generally known as phonons, the sound equal of a lightweight particle known as a photon. (Do not forget that in quantum mechanics, all waves are particles and vice versa). The experiment investigates phonons for storing quantum info as a result of it’s comparatively simple to construct small gadgets that may retailer these mechanical waves.
Utilizing Sound Waves to Retailer Data
To know how a sound wave can retailer info, think about a particularly echoey room. Now, let’s say it’s worthwhile to keep in mind your grocery listing for the afternoon, so that you open the door to that room and shout, “Eggs, bacon, and milk!” and shut the door. An hour later, when it’s time to go to the grocery retailer, you open the door, poke your head inside, and listen to your personal voice nonetheless echoing, “Eggs, bacon, and milk!” You simply used sound waves to retailer info.
Mohammad Mirhosseini. Credit score: Caltech
In fact, in the actual world, an echo like that wouldn’t final very lengthy, and your voice may find yourself so distorted you possibly can not make out your personal phrases, to not point out that utilizing a whole room for storing slightly bit of knowledge could be ridiculous. The analysis group’s answer is a tiny system consisting of versatile plates which can be vibrated by sound waves at extraordinarily excessive frequencies. When an electrical cost is positioned on these plates, they develop into capable of work together with electrical indicators carrying quantum info. This enables that info to be piped into the system for storage, and be piped out for later use—not not like the door to the room you had been shouting into earlier on this story.
Earlier Analysis and New Developments
Based on Mohammad Mirhosseini, earlier research had investigated a particular sort of supplies generally known as piezoelectrics as a method of changing mechanical power to electrical power in quantum purposes.
“These supplies, nevertheless, are inclined to trigger power loss for electrical and sound waves, and loss is a giant killer within the quantum world,” Mirhosseini says. In distinction, the brand new technique developed by Mirhosseini and his group is unbiased on the properties of particular supplies, making it appropriate with established quantum gadgets, that are based mostly on microwaves.
Conclusion: Developments and Challenges
Creating efficient storage gadgets with small footprints has been one other sensible problem for researchers engaged on quantum purposes, says Alkim Bozkurt, a graduate pupil in Mirhosseini’s group and the lead creator of the paper.
“Nonetheless, our technique permits the storage of quantum info from electrical circuits for durations two orders of magnitude longer than different compact mechanical gadgets,” he provides.
Reference: “A quantum electromechanical interface for long-lived phonons” by Alkim Bozkurt, Han Zhao, Chaitali Joshi, Henry G. LeDuc, Peter Ok. Day and Mohammad Mirhosseini, 22 June 2023, Nature Physics.
DOI: 10.1038/s41567-023-02080-w
Co-authors embody Chaitali Joshi and Han Zhao, each postdoctoral students in electrical engineering and utilized physics; and Peter Day and Henry LeDuc, who’re scientists on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA. The analysis was funded partially by the KNI-Wheatley Students program.
