A University of Otago researcher is on the verge of a discovery that could reshape the future of computing. Associate Professor Harald Schwefel, a researcher at the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, is working on a groundbreaking project that aims to create a room-temperature link capable of connecting quantum computers—an achievement that could “change the world.”
Quantum computers, which rely on quantum bits, or qubits, usually operate in extremely cold environments, often nearing absolute zero (-273.15°C). These icy conditions are essential to preserve the delicate state of qubits, which can be easily disrupted by thermal noise and vibrations. “A hat and a coat are not going to help keep you warm in this area,” Schwefel humorously remarked, adding that the extreme cold only affects a small space, about the size of a shoebox.
The pursuit of a room-temperature connection between quantum computers is crucial, as it would enable researchers to network more qubits together, significantly increasing computing power. “Currently, quantum computers exist but they are not really that useful because the number of qubits is limited to maybe 1,000,” Schwefel explained. “But if we had 10,000 or more of these qubits, you really can do very useful things.”
Quantum computers today, like those developed by tech giants Google and IBM, cannot be linked because they process quantum information using microwave photons. These photons, however, are too low in energy to survive at room temperature. Schwefel and his team are working on a solution to convert microwave photons into optical photons, which can travel through optical fibres—similar to how the classical internet works—thus enabling the connection of quantum computers. “We believe that we now have the technology at hand to build a device that achieves 80% conversion efficiency, which is suitable for a quantum link,” Schwefel said. “That would change the world.”
The potential of quantum computing is immense. If successfully networked, quantum computers could solve complex problems at speeds unimaginable by today’s standards. From developing more accurate molecular models for drug and chemical research to cracking complex encryption codes, the possibilities are vast. “Ultimately, they could be used to create better models for how atoms interact with one another,” Schwefel noted, which could revolutionise fields such as medicine and material science.
The project has garnered international attention, with Schwefel recently being awarded an $82,000 Google Academic Research Award. He is the only researcher in New Zealand to receive this prestigious recognition. “It also shows that New Zealand hosts excellent science that can perform well on the international stage,” he said, expressing pride in Otago University’s leadership in this rapidly advancing field.
As global competition intensifies to develop scalable quantum computers and network them like the internet, Schwefel’s work may place New Zealand at the forefront of this technological revolution. The world waits in anticipation as this research moves closer to transforming the way we understand and utilise technology.
