A University of Otago scientist is involved in a super-computing breakthrough which could help keep top-secret information from prying eyes. <\/p>\n
The discovery by a team of scientists from Australian National University and Otago's Dr Jevon Longdell has been hailed as a breakthrough in the field of quantum computing - a cutting edge form of computing which harnesses the power of atoms and molecules. <\/p>\n
Quantum computers, which are still in their infancy, have the potential to perform certain calculations many times faster than today's computers by taking advantage of ''quantum bits''. <\/p>\n
The team's discovery, published in the journal Nature this week, involved extending the storage time for a prototype quantum super-computer hard drive by more than one hundred times. <\/p>\n
Previously the fragile nature of the way quantum information was stored meant information was lost in milliseconds, but the team's method, using a rare earth element called europium embedded in a crystal, meant it could be stored for up to six hours. <\/p>\n
Dr Longdell, who is part of Otago's Dodd Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, said the discovery could provide a cutting edge ''unbreakable'' method for keeping top-secret information from falling into the wrong hands. <\/p>\n
Information encrypted using ''quantum cryptography'' was completely secure because the nature of quantum mechanics meant it was always possible to tell if someone had gained access to the information. <\/p>\n
The method was already used in banking and for the transmission of results in a Swiss general election, but a limitation was that quantum information could be transmitted only about 100km along optical fibre before the information was lost. <\/p>\n
Being able to store the information meant quantum information could be distributed ''literally in a box sent via the post''. <\/p>\n
''Our goal is to extend this storage time out past a day. Once we reach this target we believe it will be possible to physically distribute [quantum information] between any two points on the globe.'' <\/p>\n
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Otago man involved in quantum breakthrough<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A University of Otago scientist is involved in a super-computing breakthrough which could help keep top-secret information from prying eyes. The discovery by a team of scientists from Australian National University and Otago's Dr Jevon Longdell has been hailed as a breakthrough in the field of quantum computing - a cutting edge form of computing which harnesses the power of atoms and molecules Continue reading