Single photons for optical information transfer
A research team at the University of Alberta wants to refine the optical transmission of information by using a single photon, the fundamental building block of light that can allow unprecedented applications in optical information transfer.
Zubin Jacob, a U of A electrical and computer engineering researcher, says that rather than spreading data over waves of light, the goal is to use single particles of light, photons. “Unfortunately, the efficient generation of single photons for practical applications is a serious engineering challenge,” said Jacob.
Jacob and his research team are looking into metamaterials to tackle this problem. A metamaterial is a medium that has designer nanostructures in it, giving it technical capabilities beyond any materials we currently have. The metamaterial would efficiently collect single photons of light and allow their transmission.
At other universities, researchers are looking at attaching single photons to waves of electrons. The electrons and photons combine to form a plasmon wave that can be transmitted on a metal nanowire.
Jacob says the benefit of working with single photons for transmitting computer data is the ability to encode much more complex information on an individual particle of light. “A single photon could carry encryption codes, which are far more complex than the security password information we currently use to protect sensitive data.”
Jacob says that this technology is at least 10 years away and the products are not aimed at general consumers. “This technology is aimed at markets such as the military that requires extremely high levels of data encryption.”
The development in this field of research combining nanophotonics and quantum technologies is being published Oct. 28 in the journal Science.
Media Contact
More Information:
http://www.ualberta.caAll latest news from the category: Physics and Astronomy
This area deals with the fundamental laws and building blocks of nature and how they interact, the properties and the behavior of matter, and research into space and time and their structures.
innovations-report provides in-depth reports and articles on subjects such as astrophysics, laser technologies, nuclear, quantum, particle and solid-state physics, nanotechnologies, planetary research and findings (Mars, Venus) and developments related to the Hubble Telescope.
Newest articles
“Nanostitches” enable lighter and tougher composite materials
In research that may lead to next-generation airplanes and spacecraft, MIT engineers used carbon nanotubes to prevent cracking in multilayered composites. To save on fuel and reduce aircraft emissions, engineers…
Trash to treasure
Researchers turn metal waste into catalyst for hydrogen. Scientists have found a way to transform metal waste into a highly efficient catalyst to make hydrogen from water, a discovery that…
Real-time detection of infectious disease viruses
… by searching for molecular fingerprinting. A research team consisting of Professor Kyoung-Duck Park and Taeyoung Moon and Huitae Joo, PhD candidates, from the Department of Physics at Pohang University…