I recently completed an eye exam at an optometrist’s office. The array of tests completed with advanced equipment was incredible concluding in a visual review of the inside of my eyes. Vibrant colours, alerting the doctor to any potential health issues (fortunately none) emitted from the screen in bold imagery.
Watching a PBS documentary on colour science the same day, it occurred to me that the length and frequency of waves in colors differ across the spectrum - from short and frequent in the ultraviolet to long in the infrared - creating opportunities to study imagery, communication and more. Much like quantum which depends on wave science.
So where do these two topics really intersect?
Image source: Brian Lenahan/Midjourney
The intersection of colors and quantum technologies offers a fascinating blend of physics, technology, and perception, revealing how quantum principles can revolutionize how we understand and manipulate light and color.
At its core, color is a perception driven by the interaction of light with matter, governed by quantum mechanics. Photons, the quantum particles of light, behave both as particles and waves, and their interaction with atoms and molecules determines the colors we perceive. Quantum technologies, especially in the fields of quantum optics and quantum computing, leverage this duality to manipulate light at a fundamental level, enabling innovations in how we generate, transmit, and detect colors.
Quantum Dots
Quantum dots, for instance, are semiconductor particles that can emit highly tunable colors when excited, leading to groundbreaking applications in display technologies. Quantum dots have revolutionized color displays, offering richer and more vibrant color palettes in TVs and monitors. These dots, which are typically nanometers in size, are engineered to emit precise wavelengths of light when stimulated by electricity. Unlike traditional display technologies, which are often limited by the inherent properties of the materials they use, quantum dots can be fine-tuned to emit any desired color. This tunability arises from quantum confinement effects, where the electronic and optical properties of a material change as its size approaches that of its quantum wavelength. By adjusting the size of the quantum dots, manufacturers can produce displays with unprecedented accuracy in color representation, creating more immersive and true-to-life visual experiences.
Quantum Cryptography & Communication
Beyond display technologies, the intersection of color and quantum mechanics plays a crucial role in quantum cryptography and communication. Quantum key distribution (QKD), for example, uses single photons of light, often filtered into specific wavelengths or colors, to securely transmit information. In this context, the "color" of a photon, determined by its wavelength, can carry crucial information in a quantum communication channel. Because of the quantum properties of light, such as superposition and entanglement, eavesdropping on these channels is virtually impossible without detection. This advancement in quantum technologies promises to advance secure communication, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data in an increasingly digital world.
Quantum Sensing
In quantum sensing and imaging, color also takes on a new dimension. Quantum sensors, which operate at the limits of the uncertainty principle, can detect extremely subtle changes in light and matter interactions. This allows for highly sensitive color detection in fields such as medical imaging, where distinguishing between minute differences in tissue colors can indicate health conditions. Quantum-enhanced microscopes, for example, leverage the unique properties of quantum states of light to detect variations in biological samples that would be invisible to classical microscopes. These advances not only improve our understanding of biological processes but also pave the way for early detection of diseases through enhanced color differentiation at the microscopic level.
New quantum sensing platforms, for example, are bing pioneered by Georgia Tech physicists:
“The new research investigates quantum sensing by leveraging color centers — small defects within crystals (Du’s team uses diamonds and other 2D layered materials) that allow light to be absorbed and emitted, which also give the crystal unique electronic properties. By embedding these color centers into a material called hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), the team hoped to create an extremely sensitive quantum sensor — a new resource for developing next-generation, transformative sensing devices. “ - Georgia Tech News
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is expected to influence color science in unprecedented ways. Quantum computers, with their ability to process information at the quantum level, could model complex molecular interactions that define how we perceive and create colors. For industries such as textiles, dyes, and pigments, quantum simulations could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly production methods by predicting how molecules will interact to produce specific colors. This would allow manufacturers to design new materials with tailored optical properties, potentially unlocking new color experiences and applications in everything from fashion to industrial design. More research is being conducted on color codes for quantum computing applications such as that published in the July 2024 APS paper titled “Facilitating practical fault-tolerant quantum computing based on color codes”.
The convergence of colors and quantum technologies thus holds immense promise, touching upon various aspects of our lives, from the screens we use to how we secure our information and diagnose diseases.
The Universe
Being able to apply infrared imaging via telescopes is allowing humans to see farther and in more detail of the colors of the universe. The SOFIA telescope uses infrared to investigate constellations and star systems millions of miles away cutting through the gases surrounding planets and other space wonders. “Flying into the stratosphere at 38,000-45,000 feet put SOFIA above 99 percent of Earth’s infrared-blocking atmosphere, allowing astronomers to study the solar system and beyond in ways that are not possible with ground-based telescopes.”
Summary
The amazing world of colors, both within our planet and throughout the universe hold the same principles as quantum technologies. Whether quantum dots, sensing, imagery, cryptography or communication, colors are everywhere in waves, in light and in our quantum technology ecosystem.
Brian Lenahan is founder and chair of the Quantum Strategy Institute, author of seven Amazon published books on quantum technologies and artificial intelligence. Brian’s focus on the practical side of technology ensures you will get the guidance and inspiration you need to gain value from quantum now and into the future. Brian does not purport to be an expert in each field or subfield for which he provides science communication.
Brian’s books are available on Amazon. Quantum Strategy for Business course is available on the QURECA platform.
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