New quantum memory stores information for hours

Storing information in a quantum memory system is a difficult challenge, as the data is usually quickly lost. At TU Wien, ultra-long storage times have now been achieved using tiny diamonds. At some locations in the crystal lattice, a carbon atom (white) is missing, and at the neighbouring site there is a nitrogen atom (yellow). The Team: Michael Trupke, Norbert Mauser, Jörg Schmiedmayer, Thomas Astner, Johannes Gugler, Andreas Angerer, Johannes Majer, Sebastian Wald, Peter Mohn (left to right). With quantum particles, information can be stored and manipulated - this is the basis of many very promising technologies, such as extremely sensitive quantum sensors, quantum communication or even quantum computers. There is, however, a significant problem: it is difficult to store information in a quantum physical system for a long period of time. The quantum information tends to dissipate within fractions of a second due to interactions with the environment.