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Honda Research Institute USA Develops Nanoribbon Materials To Enhance Quantum Communication Security
Scientists at Honda Research Institute USA, Inc. (HRI-US) have developed a new "nanoribbon" material that is just one atom thick and several atoms wide. This innovation enables secure quantum communication by emitting light when excited by a laser. The light can carry encoded information, creating a secure communication layer that detects interception attempts immediately.
The research, published in Nature Communications, highlights the ability to control the thickness and width of transition metal dichalcogenides nanoribbons (NR). This control is crucial for their use in advanced quantum optoelectronics. Dr. Avetik Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist at HRI-US, stated, "Our technology provides a new pathway for the synthesis of quantum nanoribbons with precise width control, leveraging their unique mechanical and electronic properties as a single photon light source to realize secure communication known as 'quantum communication'."
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a method that uses quantum mechanics principles to protect information. It involves securely distributing encryption keys between two parties to create a shared secret key for encrypting and decrypting sensitive data. Any interception attempt would interfere with the transmission and be detected immediately.
HRI researchers collaborated with universities to encode information on individual photons emitted by the new nanoribbon material. These photons act like binary code in computing, allowing information transfer between a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter sends single photons in two possible quantum states, which the receiver measures to differentiate.
Dr. Xufan Li from HRI-US explained that they created single atomic-layer NRs using materials like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2). Transition metal-alloyed nanoparticles were used as catalysts to initiate NR growth, controlling their width down to 7 nanometers.
The resulting 1-dimensional NR material was transferred over a cone-shaped probe tip using a process developed by Dr. Shuang Wu at HRI-US. This process induced strain in the electronic structure localized on the probe tip, causing single photon emission under laser excitation.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Applications
HRI collaborated with Professor Nicholas Borys from Montana State University and Professor James Schuck from Columbia University to validate these materials as single photon emitter sources for quantum communication. The research involved contributions from various institutions including MIT, Pennsylvania State University, and North Carolina State University.
"Our new nanoribbons exhibit remarkable width-dependent and strain-induced electronic properties," said Harutyunyan. "In subsequent research with collaborators, we were able to further improve the photon purity higher than 95%, making the material highly promising for future applications in quantum communication and quantum optoelectronic devices."
This breakthrough builds upon HRI's previous work on double atomic layer nanoribbons published in Science Advances. The institute continues its mission to solve complex problems relevant to Honda's technology roadmap through strategic partnerships with public and private entities.
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