At this year’s prestigious Photonics West conference, Prof. David Binks from the University of Manchester showcased a groundbreaking advancement in quantum technology, developed in collaboration with Nanoco. His presentation on “Colloidal quantum dots grown from singly-doped seed clusters” highlighted a pivotal innovation that could redefine secure communications and quantum computing.
Nanoco’s pioneering molecular seeding technology has been adapted to create quantum dots precisely doped with a single high-spin manganese ion. This meticulous design allows these quantum dots to function as quantum memories, capable of storing qubits—the fundamental building blocks of quantum computing. By fine-tuning the properties of both the quantum dot and its dopant, Nanoco is enabling a more stable and reliable platform for next-generation quantum devices.
A particularly transformative application of this technology lies in quantum repeaters. Currently, fibre optic communication networks are limited to around 500 km, necessitating “trusted nodes” to relay encrypted messages between major cities. However, trusted nodes present security risks, as they can be compromised. By integrating singly-doped quantum dots into quantum repeaters, Nanoco is paving the way for a more secure and tamper-proof communication infrastructure, capable of transmitting confidential data across vast distances without vulnerability to interception.
Beyond secure communications, these advanced quantum dots hold immense potential for distributed quantum computing. By enabling faster and more efficient processing power, this innovation could dramatically accelerate breakthroughs across industries including medicine, materials science, finance, and artificial intelligence. Supported by an Innovate UK grant, Nanoco is now focused on demonstrating how this pioneering technology can be integrated into quantum repeater devices, reinforcing its position at the forefront of the quantum revolution.
Nanoco Group PLC (LON:NANO) leads the world in the research, development and large-scale manufacture of heavy metal-free nanomaterials for use in displays, lighting, vertical farming, solar energy and bio-imaging.
