Quantum Cocoon

Diamonds are a physicist's—and perhaps quantum computing's—best friend

Diamond is cool—even at room temperature. The stiff crystalline structure that makes diamond nature’s hardest material can shield an atom from heat vibrations—not forever, but a lot longer than in other materials.

Diamond’s unique properties may make it a match for developers of tomorrow’s quantum computers. Physicists are testing the crystal’s ability to store information in single atoms, insulate information from outside disturbances, and transmit information as light rather than through electrical currents.