But these packets, called photons, are also endowed with the indeterminate properties that make them quantum objects - so an optical computer can also be a quantum computer.

BBC: Quantum computer slips onto chips

Within the chip, the electrons were condensed into a quantum fluid, which were then excited to mix with photons in a state called a polariton.

FORBES: Watching Quantum Physics With The Naked Eye

The solution, according to Sven Hoefling of the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, and colleagues is to use what are called quantum dots to create single photons.

BBC: Quantum key distribution with single photons

The Standard Model (see table) includes familiar particles such as electrons and photons, and esoteric ones like the W and Z bosons, which carry something called the weak nuclear force.

ECONOMIST: The Higgs boson