Fabricating a photonic quantum computer

A single particle of light can exist in two places at once, and researchers are now trying to build a computer that exploits this strange behaviour. This project aims to construct a photonic quantum computer—a machine that uses individual particles of light (photons) to perform calculations. Unlike conventional computers, which process information as binary 0s and 1s, a quantum computer can harness superposition (existing in multiple states simultaneously) and entanglement (instantaneous connections between distant particles). The fundamental challenge is that quantum systems are extremely fragile: any attempt to measure or extract information disturbs the system itself, making it difficult to control. If successful, this research could lead to ultra-powerful computers capable of designing new materials, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy devices. It could also enable secure communication networks for consumers, corporations, and government, as well as precision sensors for biomedical technology and environmental monitoring. The work is primarily fundamental science—exploring how to engineer and control quantum systems. Past fundamental research in quantum mechanics has already led to technologies like lasers and transistors; this project pursues a deeper understanding of how to build practical quantum machines, with future applications likely to emerge in medical technology, defence, and security as the field matures.