MIT develops photonic chip for 10x faster quantum computer cooling
MIT researchers have developed a photonic chip capable of cooling trapped ions in quantum computers to temperatures nearly ten times lower than standard laser cooling limits. The breakthrough promises more compact and scalable chip-based quantum systems.
The chip integrates nanoscale antennas and waveguides to precisely control intersecting light beams, creating a rotating vortex that efficiently reduces ion vibrations.
By eliminating bulky external lasers and stabilising optical routing on-chip, the design overcomes major obstacles in traditional trapped-ion systems.
This advancement not only enhances cooling performance but also improves ion control precision, paving the way for scalable quantum computing with thousands of interconnected ions on a single chip.
Researchers say this integrated photonics approach could be a key step toward more stable, efficient, and miniaturised quantum computers.
