Japanese researchers have succeeded in developing a mass production method for ultra-high-purity 2-inch diamond wafers.
A 2-inch diamond wafer theoretically enables enough quantum memory to record 1 billion Blu-ray discs. This is equivalent to all the mobile data distributed in the world in one day.
This ultra-high-purity diamond contains no more than 3 ppb (parts per billion) of nitrogen atoms, as required for quantum applications, such as quantum computers, quantum memory, and quantum sensing devices.
This newly developed diamond wafer has a 2-inch diameter, much larger than the currently available crystals. This new technology is expected to propel the advancement of quantum applications.
This technology is developed by Adamant Namiki Precision Jewel Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Saga University.
Adamant Namiki plans to commercialize the product in 2023. This should greatly accelerate research into quantum devices using large-diameter diamond wafers.
A conventional computer calculates using 2 digits, “0” and “1”. By contrast, a quantum computer would utilize the principals of quantum mechanics. A quantum computer would dramatically shorten calculation time compared to a conventional computer, allowing major breakthroughs in many fields.
A diamond crystal defect called NV-center shows high performance for quantum memory in principle. The NV-center consists of a nitrogen atom and a corresponding vacancy in the diamond lattice. This NV-center could form a minute magnetic force and work as quantum memory at the atomic level.
In addition to diamond, it is possible to achieve electron spin in other materials as well, but the direction of their spin cannot be stabilized at room temperature. Apparently, only diamond can achieve electron spin at room temperature that is reliable enough for industrial applications, such as in magnetic sensors with both high space resonance and high sensitivity, quantum computing, and bio-marker sensors. For applications that require high resolution and high sensitivity, a diamond crystal with few impurities is necessary, such as the 2-inch diamond that has just been developed by Adamant Namiki.
News Source: Adamant Namiki
