Cambridge discovery boost for quantum computing
Researchers at Cambridge University claim to have created a hybrid system featuring a single trapped ion and a quantum atomic gas.
The team immersed a single trapped ytterbium ion in a Bose-Einstein condensate of neutral rubidium atoms. They showed they can control the two systems independently and study their interactions. The team also says it observed 'sympathetic cooling' of the ion by the condensate - an effect that might ultimately prove useful in quantum computing.
According to Dr Michael Köhl, from the University's department of physics: "We placed a single charged Ytterbium atom into a Bose-Einstein condensate, which at only a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero, is the coldest thing in the universe."
The results could be used to cool quantum computers. While basic quantum processors exist, they are not yet surpassing the fastest normal computers.
"Today's most powerful quantum computers are made from single atoms," said Dr Köhl, "but they need to be refrigerated in order to compute correctly. Usually this is done with laser light, which is complicated, expensive and interrupts the computing process. With our technique, quantum computers could be cooled continuously, which could pave the way to more widespread application."
