Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully demonstrated control over quantum randomness, a unique feature of quantum physics known as “vacuum fluctuations.” This milestone, published in the journal *Science*, has unlocked the potential for probabilistic computing and ultra-precise field sensing.
Controlling Quantum Randomness
The MIT team has shown that injecting a weak laser “bias” into an optical parametric oscillator can serve as a controllable source of “biased” quantum randomness. This discovery allows for the manipulation of the probabilities associated with the output states of an optical system, thereby creating the first-ever controllable photonic probabilistic bit (p-bit).
Implications and Applications
This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient and powerful probabilistic computing systems, as well as enable the creation of ultra-precise sensors for a wide range of applications, from navigation to medical imaging.