Kono J. Coherent terahertz control. Nat Photon. 2011;5:5–6.
Abstract: Spin and charge terahertz excitations in solids are promising for implementing future technologies such as spintronics and quantum computation, but coherently controlling them has been a significant challenge. Researchers have now manipulated coherent spin waves in an antiferromagnet using the intense magnetic field of ultrashort terahertz pulses.
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Yao X-C, Wang T-X, Xu P, Lu H, Pan G-S, Bao X-H, et al. Observation of eight-photon entanglement. Nat Photon. 2012;6(4):225–8.
Abstract: The creation of increasingly large multipartite entangled states is not only a fundamental scientific endeavour in itself, but is also the enabling technology for quantum information. Tremendous experimental effort has been devoted to generating multiparticle entanglement with a growing number of qubits. So far, up to six spatially separated single photons have been entangled based on parametric downconversion. Multiple degrees of freedom of a single photon have been exploited to generate forms of hyper-entangled states. Here, using new ultra-bright sources of entangled photon pairs, an eight-photon interferometer and post-selection detection, we demonstrate for the first time the creation of an eight-photon Schrödinger cat state with genuine multipartite entanglement. The ability to control eight individual photons represents a step towards optical quantum computation, and will enable new experiments on, for example, quantum simulation, topological error correction and testing entanglement dynamics under decoherence.
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Schmidt MA. Integration: Fibres embrace optoelectronics. Nat Photon. 2012;6(3):143–5.
Abstract: The demonstration of an in-fibre semiconductor photodetector with gigahertz bandwidth bodes well for the future development of hybrid fibre optoelectronics.
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Santori C, Beausoleil RG. Quantum memory: Phonons in diamond crystals. Nat Photon. 2012;6:10–2.
Abstract: The demonstration that quantum information can be stored in a bulk-diamond crystal in the form of an optically excited phonon gives researchers a new type of mechanical solid-state quantum memory to explore.
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Lydersen L, Wiechers C, Wittmann C, Elser D, Skaar J, Makarov V. Hacking commercial quantum cryptography systems by tailored bright illumination. Nat Photon. 2010;4(10):686–9.
Abstract: The peculiar properties of quantum mechanics allow two remote parties to communicate a private, secret key, which is protected from eavesdropping by the laws of physics. So-called quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations always rely on detectors to measure the relevant quantum property of single photons. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the detectors in two commercially available QKD systems can be fully remote-controlled using specially tailored bright illumination. This makes it possible to tracelessly acquire the full secret key; we propose an eavesdropping apparatus built of off-the-shelf components. The loophole is likely to be present in most QKD systems using avalanche photodiodes to detect single photons. We believe that our findings are crucial for strengthening the security of practical QKD, by identifying and patching technological deficiencies.
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