Researchers from Nagaland University have made notable progress in quantum technology by replicating complex fractal patterns found in nature, such as those in snowflakes, tree branches, and neural networks, within the quantum domain. This research aligns with India’s commitment to advancing next-generation technologies through the National Quantum Mission and holds the potential to significantly impact the creation of future quantum devices and algorithms. Fractals serve as more than just mathematical curiosities; they are blueprints evident in various natural phenomena, including the branching of rivers, lightning patterns, and the growth of plants and neurons.
By integrating these naturally occurring patterns into quantum technology, this research effectively connects fundamental physics with practical applications, illustrating how insights from nature can drive the evolution of computing and electronics. The findings will facilitate exploration into engineering non-crystalline amorphous materials for quantum technologies, broadening the material foundation for both India’s and the global quantum innovation initiatives. Dr. Biplab Pal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Nagaland University, stated that this research uniquely employs quantum mechanics to simulate electron behavior under magnetic fields within fractal systems, contrasting with the prevalent focus on crystalline materials in quantum device research. This work illustrates that non-crystalline, amorphous materials can also be utilized in the design of nanoelectronic quantum devices.
The study reveals exciting prospects for quantum devices, including the design of molecular fractal-based nanoelectronic devices, improved control over electron states for future computing applications, and the Aharonov-Bohm Caging effect, which involves trapping electrons in fractal geometries that could be applied in quantum memory and logic devices. The research has been published in the peer-reviewed international scientific journal Physica Status Solidi – Rapid Research Letters.
