WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The merging of two technologies under
development - plasmonics and nanophotonics - is promising the
emergence of new "quantum information systems" far more powerful
than today's computers. The technology hinges on using single
photons the tiny particles that make up light for switching and
routing in future computers that might harness the exotic
principles of quantum mechanics. The quantum information
processing technology would use structures called
"metamaterials," artificial nanostructured media with exotic
properties. The metamaterials, when combined with tiny "optical
emitters," could make possible a new hybrid technology that uses
"quantum light" in future computers, said Vladimir Shalaev,
scientific director of nanophotonics at Purdue University's
Birck Nanotechnology Center and a distinguished professor of
electrical and computer engineering. The concept is described in
an article to be published Friday (Oct. 28) in the journal
Science. The article will appear in the magazine's