From silicon to quantum crystals: Felix Flicker explores the materials shaping the future of computing.

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Computers were once the size of large rooms. This changed when physicists came to understand a new state of matter: the semiconductor. From that point on, we learnt to grow computers from crystals of silicon.

These days the race is on to build a practical quantum computer. These are again the size of large rooms. What we need is a silicon for the 21st century featuring a new quantum state of matter.

Theoretical physicist Felix Flicker returns to the Ri to discuss discuss some possible candidates for these quantum crystals, including a naturally occurring mineral which features some (but not all) of the necessary properties.

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Event image by Planet Volumes via Unsplash

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