Quantum light bulbs are ‘most efficient ever’
Scientists have successfully produced a super efficient minuscule light bulb, that should have a plethora of uses in computing, mobile phones, energy production, genetics and other applications of quantum technology.
The device uses quantum dots, which are tiny particles with the unusual ability to produce light without wasting energy as heat. They are the basic building blocks of quantum computers, and have processing speeds of around 10 000 faster than the most advanced conventional computers.
Researchers at Trinity College, Dublin working with colleagues in Germany, have embedded quantum dots onto a tiny polymer sphere, which enhances the light output 20 times, and allows the light to be directed and manipulated easily.
The team has been trying to improve the emission from quantum dots in order to create a tightly focused beam, and widen the capabilities of quantum technology.
Dr John Donegan is particularly interested in producing beams of light thin enough to manipulate a single strand of DNA, stretching the strand out to read off genetic information.
This ‘optical tweezer’ approach is already in use, but Dr Donegan’s group believes the new hyper-efficient light-emitting device will make fine manipulation far easier than before.
Dr Donegan predicts: “This could have major uses in genetic analysis and in gene sequencing where the ability to handle DNA strands with increasing accuracy and dexterity is becoming ever more important”.
Their findings are published today in the Institute of Physics journal Semiconductor Science and Technology.
