A SCOTTISH university is set to welcome a "pioneering" light source – that is travelling across 12 countries in Europe – with hopes it will transform the computing and cybersecurity industries.
Heriot-Watt University will host the QuanTour on Monday ahead of the Unesco International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
The quantum light source, which generates photons using a "quantum dot", produces single particles of light (photons) that scientists can examine on a microscopic level to develop higher-performing applications in cybersecurity.
The quantum light source was built at Technische Universität Berlin, a research university in Berlin, and is coming to Edinburgh from Cork, before being transported to the Netherlands.
Other stops on the tour include Madrid, Paris, Rome and Stockholm.
One research student said using single photons to encrypt data "can make communication completely unhackable".
The tiny structure made of semiconductor materials is commonly found in mobile phones, but in this case has been shrunken to a few nanometres. A nanometre is one billionth of a metre.
The quantum light source is to be hosted one of the physics labs at Heriot-Watt ran by Professor Brian Gerardot.
Gerardot, an expert in the science of light – quantum photonics – believes this is a “great opportunity to connect with the research community in this area”.
He said: “A lot of the technology behind the quantum light source has been developed here and in the other laboratories taking part."
Frederik Brooke Barnes, a postgraduate research student working with Gerardot, explained that “using single photons to encrypt data makes communication completely unhackable.”
“It means that someone trying to eavesdrop on the information being sent can't do so without being detected. This means that the information is always going to be secure and is guaranteed by the laws of physics," Barnes said.
As part of the QuanTour, the team in Scotland will measure and record the characteristics of the photons produced and share this data with the other quantum teams taking part.
Frederik and fellow PhD student Sheena Shaji have organised a welcoming event for the QuanTour, including a Scottish bagpiper.
Although the QuanTour’s visit won’t be open to the public, the university is hosting a separate single photon workshop that is open to all.
This takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre from November 18 until 22, and will showcase cutting-edge advances in the technology.
The selected year for this initiative, 2025, marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.
