美国路易斯安那州立大学的研究人员成功开发出首种能在室温下工作的量子材料，这一突破可能为量子技术的广泛应用扫除重大障碍。[1]这种由金膜构成的"量子统计质子晶体"厚度薄于人类头发，表面被刻有数百个微观结构。[1]它能够对不同量子态的光进行分类和传输，同时保持其信息完整性。[1]
由Omar S. Magaña-Loaiza副教授领导的团队开发了这项技术，相关研究已发表在《自然》杂志上。[1]传统的量子材料需要冷却至接近绝对零度才能运行，这要求配备大型超低温冷却系统。[1]而这一新型晶体在普通温度下就可以正常工作。[1]Magaña-Loaiza表示："我们的晶体可以区分量子态并以稳健的方式将其从一点移动到另一点，而无需低温冷却。这打开了实际量子技术的大门。"[1]
这一发现消除了对复杂冷却基础设施的需求，为量子计算、安全通信、传感和太阳能等领域的实际应用奠定基础。[1]该研究获得了美国能源部基础能源科学办公室材料科学与工程部门的资助。[1]
Physicists at Louisiana State University have developed the first quantum material capable of operating at room temperature, potentially eliminating the need for costly and complex cryogenic cooling systems that have long constrained quantum technology development.[1] The breakthrough centers on a "quantum statistical photonic crystal" made from a gold film etched with hundreds of microscopic structures, thinner than a human hair, which can classify and transmit different quantum states of light while preserving information integrity.[1]
Led by Associate Professor Omar S. Magaña-Loaiza, the research team demonstrated that their crystal can distinguish between quantum states and reliably transport them from one location to another without requiring near-absolute-zero cooling.[1] "Our crystal can differentiate quantum states and move them robustly from point to point without cryogenic cooling. This opens the door to practical quantum technologies."[1] The findings, published in Nature in August 2026, represent a significant departure from conventional quantum materials, which have traditionally required cooling to temperatures approaching absolute zero to maintain their quantum properties.[1]
By removing the infrastructure barrier imposed by cryogenic requirements, the material paves the way for quantum computing, secure communication systems, advanced sensing, and solar energy applications to transition from laboratory settings toward real-world deployment.[1] The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, under award number DE-SC0021069.[1]