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Physics

Supersized atoms could help quantum computers link to optical fibres

A device that uses supersized rubidium atoms could make it possible to transmit outputs from quantum computers through standard optical fibres. That in turn could make it easier to build networks of quantum computers

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

22 March 2023

The device could enable quantum computers to transmit signals through optical fibres

Shutterstock/Valentyn Volkov

Supersized atoms can convert the output of quantum computers into light signals that can travel through optical fibres. This could be crucial for connecting quantum computers into a network.

Multiple quantum computers networked together may be able to handle more complex computations than just one computer. However, while conventional computer networks use optical fibres for fast and accurate connections, many quantum computers output their results as signals that can’t travel through fibres. Consequently, quantum computers have been linked to…

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