NEWS QUANTUM COMPUTING
Boost for quantum computing
HEAT-FREE OPTICAL SWITCH WOULD
ENABLE OPTICAL QUANTUM COMPUTING
CHIPS. NEIL TYLER REPORTS
In what could be a boost for quantum computing
and communication, a team of European
scientists have reported a new method of
controlling and manipulating single photons
without generating heat.
The European Quantum Flagship project,
S2QUIP, is reported to have developed an optical
switch that is recongured with microscopic
mechanical movement rather than heat, making
the switch compatible with heat-sensitive singlephoton
detectors.
Currently, optical switches work by locally
heating light guides inside a semiconductor
chip. “This approach does not work for quantum
optics,” said Samuel Gyger, a researcher
from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in
Stockholm.
“Because we want to detect every single
photon, we use quantum detectors that work by
measuring the heat a single photon generates
when absorbed by a superconducting material. If
we use traditional switches, our detectors will be
ooded by heat, and wont work at all.”
The new method enables control of single
photons without the disadvantage of heating up a
semiconductor chip and rendering single-photon
detectors useless.
By using MEMS actuation it is possible to
enable optical switching and photon detection on
a single semiconductor chip while maintaining
the cold temperatures required by single-photon
detectors.
“Our technology will help to connect all the
building blocks required for integrated optical
circuits for quantum technologies,” said Errando
Herranz, who led the work at KTH.
“Quantum technologies will enable secure
message encryption and methods of computation
that solve problems today’s computers cannot
and they will provide simulation tools that enable
us to understand fundamental laws of nature,
which can lead to new materials and medicines.”
Herranz said that the group is looking to
integrate the fabrication process in semiconductor
foundries that already fabricate on-chip optics.
Active Silicon acquired
Active Silicon has been acquired by Solid
State, a manufacturer of computing, power and
communications products, and a supplier of
electronic and opto-electronic components.
Operating through two main divisions,
Manufacturing (Steatite) and Value Added
Supplies (Solid State Supplies and Pacer),
the group specialises in complex engineering
often requiring design-in support and
component sourcing for computing, power,
communications, electronic and optoelectronic
products.
The £6.3m acquisition will see the addition
of Active Silicon’s expertise in the design,
manufacture and supply of vision components
to the Solid State portfolio, and will further
its operations in the areas of machine
and computer vision, and provides Active
Silicon with greater potential to develop their
embedded computing and AI capabilities.
Active Silicon will operate as an independent
entity within the industrial computer product
portfolio of Steatite’s manufacturing division.
Editor Neil Tyler
neil.tyler@markallengroup.com
Contributing Chris Edwards, Charlotte Hathway,
Editors John Walko
editor@newelectronics.co.uk
Art Editor Chris Charles
chris.charles@markallengroup.com
Illustrator Phil Holmes
Sales Manager James Creber
james.creber@markallengroup.com
Publisher Peter Ring
peter.ring@markallengroup.com
Managing Jon Benson
Director jon.benson@markallengroup.com
Production Nicki McKenna
Manager nicki.mckenna@markallengroup.com
New Electronics editorial advisory panel
Trevor Cross, chief technology officer, Teledyne e2v
Pete Leonard, electronics design manager, Renishaw
Pete Lomas, director of engineering, Norcott Technologies
Neil Riddiford, principal electronics engineer, Cambridge
Consultants
Adam Taylor, embedded systems consultant
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Micro mobility pilot project
DUCKT, a micro mobility infrastructure
innovator, has been awarded a pilot project for
the installation of 150 dock, lock and charge
points in Paris. The project aims to demonstrate
how a universal charging infrastructure could be
used to accelerate micro mobility use to reduce
climate impact in the city.
The charge solution will be deployed in Q2
2021 and DUCKT will be offering users a way
to help organise public space, lower operational
costs and provide a simple, secure universal
charge station. The adaptable solution can be
plugged into advertising boards, bus stations
and street lighting to provide a power source.
Marc-Antoine Réol, Country Manager
France at DUCKT said: “Paris was ideal
to demonstrate the power of our solution.
With nearly 15,000 electric scooters on the
streets, policies are going to keep moving
towards accelerated deployment of micro
mobility. The aim of this project is to provide
a last mile infrastructure, which links public
transport and shared micro-mobility.”
6 9 March 2021 www.newelectronics.co.uk
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