Erbium tagged posts

Some rare atoms can store quantum information, an important phenomenon for scientists in their ongoing quest for a quantum Internet. New research exploits a system that has the potential to transfer optical quantum information to locally stored solid-state quantum format, needed for quantum communication.

“Our research aims at creating a quantum analog of current fiber optic technology in which light is used to transfer classical information — bits with values zero or one — between computers,” said author Dirk Bouwmeester, a professor in UCSB’s Department of Physics. “The rare earth atoms we’re studying can store the superpositions of 0 and 1 used in quantum computation. In addition, the light by which we communicate with these atoms can also store quantum information.”

Rare earth element...

Phosphors are efficient light emitters but they’re not optimal for high-speed communications because they turn on and off slowly. Researchers from Brown and Harvard have now found a way to modulate light from phosphor emitters three orders of magnitude faster using phase-change materials (VO2, in this case), which could make phosphors useful in a range of new optoelectronic applications. Credit: Zia Lab / Brown University

The technique provides a new approach to modulation useful in silicon-based nanoscale devices, including computer chips and other optoelectronic components.

Phosphors are efficient light emitters (eg light bulbs, LEDs) but they’re not optimal for high-speed communications because they turn on and off slowly...