Quantum chip holds multiple photons at once, opening path to scalable memory
Researchers have demonstrated a photonic chip capable of holding multiple photons simultaneously. The chip addresses the requirement to buffer photon-based quantum information while slower quantum operations complete, on a device roughly one centimetre across. The work is presented as a step toward scalable on-chip quantum memory.
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What this could mean
- 0–2 yearsPlausible
If the storage fidelity and efficiency are sufficient, this multi-photon on-chip memory could let photonic quantum processors use integrated buffers to synchronise qubits, reducing reliance on bulky optical delay lines and improving the practicality of small-scale photonic circuits within two years.
Photonic quantum computation depends on photon interference that requires precise temporal overlap; on-chip storage of multiple photons attacks that synchronisation bottleneck. Usefulness is gated on high-efficiency read/write, low loss, and compatibility with existing single-photon sources and detectors.
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