Diamonds can now serve as a stepping stone for physicists to advance in quantum computer. Vienna University of Technology has coupled microwaves and diamond existing in quantum states.
This provides viability for quantum-computer microchips.
The research team applied the concept of combining two entirely different types of quantum systems so as to utilize the benefits rendered by the diamonds and microwaves.
A standard computer comprises a memory and a processor. The rapid calculations are performed by the processor and the results are stored for a longer period by the memory. The relationship that exists between the two distinct quantum types incorporated into a single quantum chip implemented at TU Vienna is quite the same. The rapid manipulations are obtained using the microwave resonator and its quantum state is characterized by microwave system’s photons. The microwave resonator is made to couple with a thinner layer of diamond which stores the quantum states.
Diamonds must be flawless and pure for creating jewelry, but the opposite is needed for quantum experiments. With this case, diamond flaws serve to be advantageous. A diamond turns black when a nitrogen atom comes in contact with its usual carbon structure. After becoming black, the diamond has the potential to store different quantum states.
Robert Amsüss from TU Vienna stated that the quantum states can be transferred between the diamond’s nitrogen-centers and the microwaves in the quantum chip developed by the research team. The more the number of nitrogen atoms involved in this quantum data transfer, the more stable will be the diamonds’ memory. Unexpectedly, it was found that the atomic nuclei’s angular momentum can also store quantum data. According to Johannes, this paves way for a nuclear memory device. For this, it is first necessary to optimize the diamond quantum chip existing in its present state.