Light shines on new pathway for quantum technology

Scientists in Australia have for the first time demonstrated the protection of correlated states between paired photons—packets of light energy—using the intriguing physical concept of topology. This experimental breakthrough opens a pathway to build a new type of quantum bit, the building blocks for quantum computers.

The research, developed in close collaboration with Israeli colleagues, is published today in the prestigious journal, Science, a recognition of the foundational importance of this work.

"We can now propose a pathwaytobuild robust entangled states for logic gates using protected pairs of photons," said lead author Dr. Andrea Blanco-Redondo at the University of Sydney Nano Institute.