Optical Wiring Enables Larger Quantum Computers

Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated a method for the delivery of multiple laser beams precisely to their intended locations, from within the physical architecture of a single chip. The method is stable enough to allow for delicate quantum operations. Laser precision has been an obstacle to building larger quantum computers; because the lasers must hit targets that are only a few micrometers in size, even small vibrations disturb operation. To solve this problem, the ETH Zurich researchers integrated tiny waveguides into the chips that contain the electrodes for trapping the ions so that the light can be sent directly to those ions. The ion-trap chip with integrated waveguides. The laser light is fed into the chip via the...