Scientists used crystals from an ancient stone in Namibia that could hold the key to unlocking quantum computers.
The cuprous oxide crystal was polished and thinned to less than the width of human hair and sandwiched between two mirrors to trap light. This produced the largest hybrid particles of light and matter ever created, called the Rydberg polaritons. These particles that have the potential speed of light and the ability to interact like matter could help unlock the power of quantum computers.
While the current methods need to be refined, the basics are now established. Once quantum computers are fully utilized using hybrid particles, significant computing improvements will allow us to tackle hugely complex calculations. This application would be beneficial in science, health, and technology. Furthermore, ancient Namibian stones are cheap and easy to acquire.
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