ETRI achieves a milestone in photonic quantum computing with an advanced qubit manipulation leading to development of quantum technologies
Electronics and telecommunications research institute (ETRI), South Korea has reached a milestone in quantum computing with the development of a photonic quantum circuit chip. Capable of controlling up to eight photons, the chip provides a powerful tool for exploring complex quantum phenomena, especially multipartite entanglement, which is vital for advancing quantum computation. This achievement solidifies South Korea’s leadership in the global race to develop practical quantum technologies.
This success builds on their previous work in silicon-photonic quantum circuits, where they first demonstrated 2-qubit and 4-qubit entanglement, setting records in the process. The recent demonstration of 6-qubit entanglement using the new 8-photon chip represents a remarkable progression, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in quantum research.
Photonic quantum circuits are considered one of the most promising avenues for developing universal quantum computers. The ability to manipulate multiple photons as qubits, integrated into compact silicon chips, holds great potential for scalability. The chip includes eight photon sources and around 40 optical switches, which control the propagation paths of photons to enable quantum computations. These chips are small enough to be measured by sensitive single-photon detectors, with the added benefit of being energy-efficient and capable of operating at room temperature.
Among the key experimental breakthroughs achieved by the research team is the measurement of the ‘Hong-Ou-Mandel’ effect, a quantum phenomenon where photons travelling from different directions can interfere and follow the same path. This is just one of the numerous quantum experiments that have helped shape the team’s understanding of photon-based quantum states. Future experiments are expected to build upon these findings, with plans to scale the chip up to 16 and 32 qubits, pushing the frontier of quantum computation further.
As their work continues, the focus is shifting toward the development of cloud-based quantum computing services that will make these powerful technologies more accessible. Despite the promise of photonic quantum circuits, challenges such as quantum noise and computational errors remain, but the path forward is clear, with ETRI’s innovations setting the stage for a new era in quantum technology.
