Quantum computers go high-dimensional with a four-state photon gate
Phys.org
February 23, 2026
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TU Wien has collaborated with Chinese research groups to develop a groundbreaking advancement in quantum computing: a novel four-state photon gate capable of performing high-dimensional quantum computations. This innovation enables pairs of photons, each existing in four distinct quantum states or combinations thereof, to undergo complex calculations. The development marks a significant milestone for optical quantum computers, which rely on photons as information carriers due to their scalability and reduced susceptibility to environmental interference compared to other quantum systems.
The four-state photon gate represents a leap forward in quantum logic gates, which are fundamental building blocks of quantum circuits. By allowing photons to exist in multiple states simultaneously, the gate enhances computational power and opens new possibilities for high-dimensional quantum processing. This breakthrough relies on precise manipulation of entangled photons' properties, such as polarization and spatial modes, to perform operations that would be impossible with classical computers. The study, published in *Nature Photonics*, demonstrates successful experiments where two photons interacted through this gate, achieving the desired computational outcomes.
The implications of this achievement are profound for the field of quantum computing. High-dimensional quantum systems promise
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/23/2026