Their basic concept is to use light to transmit the quantum information using interferometers, which are instruments that change the frequency of light waves, then recombine them to get particular effects.
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Composed of light-absorbing, colloidal quantum dots linked to carbon-based fullerene nanoparticles, these tiny two-particle systems can convert light to electricity in a precisely controlled way.
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It utilizes the light emitting properties of quantum dots to create an ideal backlight for LCDs -- one of the most critical factors in the color and efficiency performance of LCDs.
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This is because, in the wacky world of quantum physics, light is wavy as well as particulate.
But their demonstration of dipole trapping at least shines a captivating light down the path to quantum computing becoming a practical technology.
Scientists can make quantum computers from light particles known as photons, but they can also use an array of single atoms or even very small electrical circuits.
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The practical applications could improve the efficiency of quantum computers, where light is often used to transfer information.
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The "quantum states" of atoms, light particles known as photons, molecules and even objects big enough to be seen have been extensively studied.
Quantum dots are tiny structures made of semiconductors whose size determines, again through rules set by quantum mechanics, exactly what colour and amount of light they produce - and how often they produce it.
In the quantum world, things traditionally thought of as waves, such as light, can also be viewed as particles.
The important measure of success is the internal quantum efficiency, which shows just how good an LED is at making light.
In addition, since a single electron travelling through the device emits light not once (as in most other lasers), but many times, quantum cascade lasers are powerful: Dr Capasso's group has recently shown that they beat conventional semiconductor lasers by a factor of 20.
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