Organizing molecules in a lattice for quantum computing

Molecules are possible candidates for quantum bits, the memory and processor units of a future quantum computer. Thereby, it is important that the molecules can store and exchange quantum information. In order for this to work, the molecules need to be arranged and kept in a regular array. Physicists at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching have now succeeded in creating such a state using an optical lattice. The optical lattice is formed by superimposing several laser beams, the resulting shape of which resembles a stack of egg cartons. Exactly two atoms were placed into each well of this 'egg carton'. By applying a magnetic field, these atom pairs are associated to molecules (Nature Physics, 24th of September)...