Insider Brief
Quantum communication holds the key to unbreakable encryption through the use of entangled photons. A breakthrough has been made by a collaborative global research team from Europe, Asia, and South America, who have developed a new light source that emits exceptionally bright, entangled photons – essential components for quantum communication.
- The revolutionary device combines a quantum dot with a specialized light-trapping cavity, enabling the production of bright, entangled photons as needed.
- This advancement marks a significant step towards the creation of practical quantum communication networks that can revolutionize secure data transmission.
Entangled photons possess an instantaneous and unbreakable connection, making them ideal for secure data transmission. Existing methods of generating these photons often struggle with limitations, particularly in terms of brightness, which can slow down communication.
The new device, detailed in eLight, integrates a quantum dot with a specialized light-trapping cavity and a micromachined platform. This innovative approach provides precise control over emitted light, achieving a breakthrough in producing bright, entangled photons on demand. This progress is a crucial step towards the realization of practical quantum communication networks, poised to revolutionize secure communications across various sectors.
Featured image: a. Schematic of a CBR sample on six-legged piezoelectric substrate mounted on a chip carrier. Dimensions are not to scale. b. Optical microscopy image of a finished sample. A tilted scanning electron microscope image of the centre of a single structure is shown in the inset. c. Reconstructed density matrix of the entangled-photon state emitted by the cavity enhanced quantum dot. Credit: eLight (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s43593–024–00072–8
