Posted: May 28, 2009 |
Scientists demonstrate all-fibre quantum logic |
(Nanowerk News) A team of physicists and engineers have demonstrated all-fibre quantum logic, where single photons are generated and used to perform the contolled-NOT quantum logic gate in optical fibres with high fidelity.
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The only quantum technology in practical use today is quantum cryptography and is currently limited in the distance over which secure communication may occur.
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More sophisticated quantum networks will require multiple nodes with the ability to implement small-scale quantum processing in order to increase the range of quantum communications. Such networks will rely on optical fibre links, making fibre-based photon generation and information processing of key technological importance.
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Jeremy O’Brien, Professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering at Bristol University and colleagues, have shown it is possible for a high-fidelity fibre controlled-NOT gate to operate with fibre heralded single-photon sources ("All-optical-fiber polarization-based quantum logic gate").
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Professor O’Brien speaking about the research, said: “On the basis of a simple model we are able to conclude that imperfections are primarily due to the photon sources, meaning that the gate itself works with very high fidelity.”
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“Such all fibre quantum information processing will likely have important applications in future quantum networks.”
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All-fibre quantum information processing could be used in less mature quantum technologies such as computing, communication and advanced measurement, as well as in the fundamental science of quantum optics.
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