Researchers from Stanford University, Jinan University, and collaborating institutions have unveiled a breakthrough that could help bring practical quantum technologies out of the lab and into everyday devices. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, the team demonstrated a new silicon-based nanophotonic platform capable of preserving and controlling quantum information at room temperature, a challenge that has frustrated scientists for years. [1]
The innovation combines atomically thin molybdenum diselenide (MoSe₂) with specially engineered chiral silicon metasurfaces. These microscopic structures manipulate light in a way that selectively controls “valley” states, quantum information carriers that could form the basis of future valleytronic and quantum computing devices.
Until now, valley-based technologies have struggled because quantum states rapidly lose coherence at room temperature. The new design overcomes that limitation, producing a record-high degree of circular polarization of 0.5 at room temperature far exceeding previous room-temperature demonstrations.
The researchers found that their high-quality optical cavities enhanced valley-specific light emission by roughly 13 times, enabling robust control of quantum states without requiring cryogenic cooling.
Beyond quantum computing, the technology could lead to ultracompact quantum light sources, advanced optical communication systems, chiral photonic devices, and next-generation information processing hardware that operates under everyday conditions.