Archive · 15 Dec 2025
IIT Bombay Discovers Laser Technique for Quantum Control
Scientists at IIT Bombay have found a new way to use a simple laser to control tiny quantum states in super-thin materials.
These materials are so thin that they are only one atom thick.
Inside these materials, tiny particles called electrons can be in two different states, which scientists call valleys.
The researchers showed that a single laser pulse with a slight tilt can push the electrons into one valley or the other.
This is like flipping a switch between 0 and 1 in a computer.
The same laser pulse also creates a tiny electric current that tells scientists which valley the electrons are in.
This discovery could help make computers that are much faster and use less energy.
IIT Bombay scientists discovered a simple laser technique to control quantum states in ultra-thin materials.
The technique uses a single linearly polarised laser pulse with a controlled skew to switch between two quantum states (K and K′ valleys).
The method is fully reversible and can both control and read the valley state of electrons simultaneously.
The laser pulse generates a tiny electric current that acts as a built-in signal to indicate the valley state.
The technique works across a wide range of laser wavelengths and does not require fine-tuning to the material’s energy levels.
- Who
- Scientists at IIT Bombay
- What
- Discovered a simple laser technique to control quantum states in ultra-thin materials
- When
- Announced on Sunday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, Mumbai
- Why
- To advance valleytronics and potentially create faster, more energy-efficient computers
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
- Research Focus
- Two-dimensional semiconductors
- Quantum States
- K and K′ valleys
- Laser Type
- Linearly polarised laser pulse
- Journal
- Advanced Optical Materials
- Key Advantage
- Simultaneous control and reading of valley states