University of Tokyo Builds 40-Picosecond Quantum Switch, Boosting Bit Processing 1,000x
Updated
Updated · TechRadar · May 18
University of Tokyo Builds 40-Picosecond Quantum Switch, Boosting Bit Processing 1,000x
5 articles · Updated · TechRadar · May 18
40 picoseconds per bit is the speed a University of Tokyo team achieved in lab tests with a non-volatile quantum switching element that stores data magnetically rather than through continuous electrical current.
Tantalum and mangansin layers convert an electrical signal into the direction of a tiny magnetic force, avoiding the heat buildup that limits conventional chips to about 1 nanosecond per bit.
100 billion cycles were completed without failure in controlled testing, versus roughly 10 million cycles at similar speeds before standard chips would overheat, according to the report.
Power use could fall to 1/100 of current levels if the effect scales into practical chips, potentially slashing data-center electricity demand and extending laptop battery life dramatically.
A prototype chip is targeted for 2030, leaving years of manufacturing and commercialization work before the laboratory result could reach real-world systems.
This lab marvel promises 1000x speed, but can it overcome the massive hurdles to actually power our future devices?
Will geopolitical conflict over a rare metal derail this energy-efficient computing revolution?
If this tech makes AI 100 times cheaper, will it solve the energy crisis or just create an uncontrollable AI explosion?
Ultra-Fast 60-Picosecond Quantum Switching: The Spintronic Breakthrough Set to Transform Computing and AI
Overview
On May 20, 2026, researchers announced a major breakthrough in quantum technology by demonstrating ultra-fast quantum switching. This was achieved by successfully switching a chiral antiferromagnetic state using a 60-picosecond photocurrent pulse. The pulse was generated by combining a telecommunication band laser with a photoelectric converter, showcasing a fundamental demonstration of spintronic photoelectric conversion. This innovation marks a crucial step toward overcoming bottlenecks in high-performance computing and promises to revolutionize data processing and storage, paving the way for faster and more efficient computing systems.