News Article
UK scientists achieve quantum network breakthrough
Researchers at Toshiba Research Europe in Cambridge, UK have developed a light source that can send single photons in a regular stream through optical fibre over long distances.
Researchers at Toshiba Research Europe in Cambridge, UK have developed a light source that can send single photons in a regular stream through optical fibre over long distances.
The device could pave the way for quantum networks that exploit the particle-like properties of light.
The semiconductor-based technology has been designed to work with ordinary telecom fibre cables and uses what has been described as the worlds dimmest fibre source.
The source contains a tiny quantum dot of semiconductor, measuring just 45nm in radius and 10nm in height, which emits photons (the particles of light) one at a time.
By manipulating the way the dot is formed, the wavelength of the emitted photons can be tuned to allow them to travel long distances in ordinary fibre optic cables.
Dr Andrew Shields, head of the Quantum Information Group at Toshiba Research Europe said: Exploiting the quantum properties of light allows us to communicate and process information in ways that have not been possible previously. A good example is in quantum cryptography, which allows us to verify the secrecy of information sent on single photons.
This research shows that single photon sources can now be applied to real communication systems.
The research was supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. The University of Cambridge and Imperial College were also involved on the project.
The device could pave the way for quantum networks that exploit the particle-like properties of light.
The semiconductor-based technology has been designed to work with ordinary telecom fibre cables and uses what has been described as the worlds dimmest fibre source.
The source contains a tiny quantum dot of semiconductor, measuring just 45nm in radius and 10nm in height, which emits photons (the particles of light) one at a time.
By manipulating the way the dot is formed, the wavelength of the emitted photons can be tuned to allow them to travel long distances in ordinary fibre optic cables.
Dr Andrew Shields, head of the Quantum Information Group at Toshiba Research Europe said: Exploiting the quantum properties of light allows us to communicate and process information in ways that have not been possible previously. A good example is in quantum cryptography, which allows us to verify the secrecy of information sent on single photons.
This research shows that single photon sources can now be applied to real communication systems.
The research was supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. The University of Cambridge and Imperial College were also involved on the project.
