Australian scientists have overcome a key challenge in bringing quantum speed computing closer to reality.

Some quantum computer designs use photons to form ‘qubits’ – the basic unit of processing.

For photons to be of practical use, the devices that produce them, Single Photon Emitters (SPE), need to be able to operate both at room temperature and at “telecom wavelength” at the same time.

Up until now this has proved challenging.

Using a semi-conductor material made from Gallium Nitride (GaN), an international team of engineers including experts from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have built an SPE that operates within both these criteria.

GaN is a commercially available blue-light semiconductor often used in DVDs. The research team pumped etched GaN wafers with laser light to produce the single photon emissions.

Quantum devices will need to be operate at room temperature, and using telecom wavelength is the most efficient way to transfer information via optical fibres.

UTS Professor Igor Aharonovich says being able to produce the new quantum emitters in a “technologically viable material” is an important step.

“This discovery will bring quantum technologies to reality much faster,” he says.

The paper is accessible here.