Quantum computing: Japan takes step toward light-based technology

TOKYO -- A Japanese team of scientists on Wednesday announced a key step in the development of a quantum computer using photons, or particles of light, that eliminates the need for an ultracold environment used to cool existing machines.

The team including Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the University of Tokyo and Japan's Riken research institute has developed a high-performance source of "squeezed light" used to transmit information in optical quantum computing.