Quantum photonics advances through ultrathin crystals and diamond nanobeams

Researchers are developing new methods to create programmable quantum photonic chips, which use light to process information. A review published in Nature Photonics suggests that ultrathin van der Waals crystals could enable these circuits to be flexible. By stacking and twisting these atomic-scale layers, scientists may be able to adjust light properties, such as color and direction, using small electrically powered devices.

In a separate development, researchers from the United States and the Republic of Korea have addressed the challenge of light loss when connecting quantum emitters to optical circuits. By embedding diamond nanobeams within titanium dioxide photonic structures, the team successfully integrated silicon-vacancy centers—which act as light sources—into a circuit. This fabrication method allows components to align themselves naturally, minimizing the optical loss that typically occurs when joining different materials for quantum networks.