The director of the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for Quantum Topology and its Applications says their work in finding new materials to make quantum computers even more evolved means that in a few short years, a Saskatchewan-based innovation could affect the world.
To go back to the beginning, Steven Rayan explains that quantum is the tiny, subatomic particles that make up everything around us and in us, but some of those particles don’t play by the same rules.
For instance, some of these quantum particles can be in two places at once.
Being aware of these special rules can lead to new ideas and technologies.
The Quantum Research Centre has found ireegular crystals, which Rayan describes as warped or droopy crystals, which were inspired by hyperbolic, mathematical art.
He says, “There is a lot of art that is inspired by science, but I love seeing science that is inspired by art and I think that what we are doing here exactly captures that.”
Rayan says these warped materials are promising to be an even better approach than what is happening now with quantum computers, which could lead to big changes in that sector in the future.
He believes the future is bright for what Saskatchewan is doing with quantum science.