Published in Physics World, 3 Aug 2011
Physicists in the US have created a device that can emit single photons of the right shape and colour for use in quantum information. The advance is another step in the development of practical quantum-computing and quantum-cryptography systems.
Quantum computing exploits the peculiar laws of quantum physics to process certain calculations much faster than any of today’s computers, whereas quantum cryptography uses those laws to prevent eavesdropping on secure communications. Both rely on the transmission of quantum information, and one of the best media for transmitting quantum information is single photons. […]
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