UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, USA. The Joint Quantum Institute was able to store and retrieve images into atomic vapor.
Using hot rubidium gas as the medium, the physicists were able to store movie frames with the letters T and N into atomic vapor. As quantum physics basically deal with photons, the images were first encoded into photons before sent into the rubidium atoms. A magnetic field was then applied in order for the atoms to absorb the photons. When the magnetic field was removed, the photons and the information were emitted again resulting to the image shown.
The process was repeated for a number of times and the researchers have concluded that 88% of the input was emitted. The protocol used in the study is the gradient echo memory. This discovery presents a lot of potential for quantum internet and an impending redefinition of the term “vaporized”.
| Invention | Atomic Vapor Data Storage |
|---|---|
| Organization | Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| Researcher | Quentin Glorieux et. al. |
| Field(s) | Optical memories, Quantum physics, Quantum optics, Quantum communications |
| Further Information | Discovery News, Optics Express, The Verge |
