Scientists build the world's smallest quantum computer — It runs at room temperature and fits on your desk!

The world's smallest quantum computer has been created and works at room temperature, while being compact enough to sit on your desk. Discover how this innovation can transform the technology and computing market!

Researchers have achieved an impressive milestone in the development of quantum computing: they have built the world's smallest quantum computer, which can operate at room temperature and is the size of a PC of a table

This advancement represents a major leap in the accessibility and usability of these machines, previously known for requiring extreme conditions such as cooling close to absolute zero.

The operation of the quantum computer at room temperature

This new device is powered by a single photon, or particle of light, which acts as the qubit — the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing. Traditionally, most quantum computers use superconducting qubits, which only work when cooled to incredibly low temperatures.

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The concept behind the technology

**The machine can process mathematical calculations at room temperature and is small enough to fit on your desk. (Image credit: National Tsing Hua University)**

The key to the operation of this quantum computer lies in a ring-shaped optical fiber, where the photon is stored and manipulated.

According to the study, published in the journal Physical Review Applied On September 3, the device can perform operations such as factoring prime numbers, demonstrating its ability to process information efficiently and accurately.

Unlike previous models that relied on superconducting qubits, this new approach uses optical quantum computing, a technique that has long been suggested as a promising alternative.

In a previous study in February, researchers proposed that qubits based on laser pulses could enable the development of quantum computers that are stable at room temperature, and now this has been proven in practice.

Advances and challenges

Optical quantum computers with hundreds of photons already exist, but they are difficult to manage. The researchers instead wanted to focus on making a smaller machine with just one stable photon. (Image credit: National Tsing Hua University)

The team led by quantum optics professor Chuu Chih-sung of Tsing Hua University in Taiwan has achieved a remarkable feat by storing information across 32 time intervals or dimensions within the wave packet of a single photon.

This sets a new world record for the number of computing dimensions accessible by a single qubit. This breakthrough could revolutionize not only computing, but also other fields such as quantum communication.

However, the challenges have not been completely overcome. Optical quantum computers that use photons have limitations, mainly in relation to the difficulty of capturing large numbers of photons, since they appear probabilistically, which means they can “disappear” at a crucial moment in the calculation process.

The efficiency of the new model

The great advantage of this quantum computer over other traditional systems is its energy efficiency and operational simplicity.

While machines that use trapped ion qubits, for example, rely on complex lasers to maintain the stability of their quantum states, the new photon device can operate with less power and without the need for constant fine-tuning.

The metaphor used by Professor Chuu to explain the advance is quite illustrative: he compares the previous technology to a bicycle that transports a person, while the new device would be a train with 32 carriages, capable of carrying a large amount of information efficiently.

Future perspectives

The next steps in the research involve further improving the quantum computer's storage and processing capacity. The goal is for the machine to be able to handle even more complex calculations, which could expand its applications in areas such as data security, artificial intelligence and communications.

Furthermore, by using photons as qubits, the device can be easily integrated into quantum communication networks, where light is used to transmit information securely and virtually instantaneously. This opens up a range of opportunities for the development of technologies that combine quantum computing with light-based systems.

In short, the world's smallest quantum computer not only marks a significant advance in computing, but also signals a future where these technologies will be within reach of more people and can be used more practically and efficiently in everyday life.

Scientists Build World’s Smallest Quantum Computer — Runs at Room Temperature and Fits on Your Desk!

The world's smallest quantum computer has been created and works at room temperature, while being compact enough to sit on your desk. Discover how this innovation can transform the technology and computing market!