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"A groundbreaking new nanoscale optical device developed at Stanford University promises to dramatically lower the barriers to entry for quantum technology, potentially ushering in a new era of accessible and powerful computing and communication. Unlike current quantum systems requiring near-absolute zero temperatures, this innovation operates at room temperature, marking a meaningful step towards practical, widespread adoption."A groundbreaking new nanoscale optical device developed at Stanford University promises to dramatically lower the barriers to entry for quantum technology, potentially ushering in a new era of accessible and powerful computing and communication. Unlike current quantum systems requiring near-absolute zero temperatures, this innovation operates at room temperature, marking a meaningful step towards practical, widespread adoption.
The research, published in Nature Communications, details a device that entangles the spin of photons (light particles) and electrons – a core principle of quantum communication. This breakthrough could reshape fields ranging from cryptography and sensing to artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
“The material in question is not really new, but the way we use it is,” explains Jennifer Dionne, professor of materials science and engineering and senior author of the study. “It provides a very versatile, stable spin connection between electrons and photons that is the theoretical basis of quantum communication. Typically, though, the electrons lose their spin too quickly to be useful.”
the device utilizes a thin layer of molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) known for its favorable optical properties, layered atop a nanopatterned silicon substrate. This combination allows for the manipulation of light into a “twisted” spin, which can then be transferred to electrons, creating qubits – the fundamental building blocks of quantum computation."
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