Nanyang Technological University Singapore researchers have developed a technique using ultra-thin niobium oxide dichloride (NbOClâ‚‚) flakes to generate entangled photon pairs for quantum computing, potentially shrinking components by 1,000 times. By aligning two NbOClâ‚‚ flakes perpendicularly, the team achieved polarization entanglement without bulky optical equipment.
The innovative stacking method allowed them to create photon pairs with 86% fidelity, demonstrating a reliable approach for creating quantum-entangled states. This technology has significant implications for scalable and efficient quantum photonic systems, potentially enabling the integration of quantum technology directly into chip-based platforms while maintaining performance and reducing complexity.
Researchers led by Prof. Gao Weibo used van der Waals engineering to tailor material properties by stacking two-dimensional materials. The technique is historically used in applications such as superconductivity and the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect.
The team’s method bypasses the need for bulky optical equipment, making it a promising approach for integrating quantum photonics into chip-based systems. While the photon generation rate needs improvement, the researchers plan to optimize the process by adding micro-scale patterns or experimenting with different materials.
This breakthrough has significant implications for quantum computing and beyond, including secure communications and other quantum technologies. The ability to miniaturize quantum components could lead to more compact, scalable, and energy-efficient quantum systems.
Source: https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/10/14/van-der-waals-stacking-enables-entangled-photons-potentially-shrinking-quantum-computing-components-by-1000-times/