Flawed Diamonds perfect for Quantum Memory

Scientists have found a way for diamond crystals to store quantum information.

Atoms are manipulated inside the diamonds so that they hold information long enough for quantum memory, encoding information in states that are both 0 and 1 at the same time, not the strings of 0s and 1s calculated by conventional computers.



flickr.com/Jennifer Dickert


The perfect diamonds for these are not from Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., or the type to sell to buyers like World Jeweler. Flawed diamonds work best.

David Awschalom of University of California, Santa Barbara reports, “Oddly enough, perfection may not be the way to go. We want to build in defects.”

Nitrogen stands as one of the most common defects in diamonds, turning the stone yellow. When a nitrogen atom is next to an empty spot in the carbon crystal, the atom gives off an extra electron that moves into that spot. Several  years ago, scientists have learned that using microwave energy can change the spin of those extra electrons, and have put them to work as quantum bits, or qubits.

Awschalom discovered how to connect the electron spin to the spin of the nearest nitrogen’s nucleus, providing a more stable way to store information. Triggered by magnetic fields, this transfer happens very fast at about 100 nanoseconds.

Diamond memory works at room temperature. The electron spins within the diamond can be manipulated and measured by shining a laser light into the diamond. This could provide high potential for scientists to use diamonds for developing nanophotonic systems to move and store information in packets of light.

Quantum memory isn’t forever, but it does last for quite some time by quantum standards. The nuclear spin stays coherent, or stable, for a little more than a millisecond, with potential to last up to seconds.”

Sebastian Loth, physicist at IBM’s Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California, clarifies, “You can only do your quantum magic as long as you have coherence. If you have a lifetime of milliseconds, that lets you do millions of operations.”

Source: Science News

Engagement Ring of Ponzi Schemer Madoff Sold on Auction Block

Bernard Madoff's once lavish lifestyle has been selling off at auction at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers.  Reported sales estimated at $2 million dollars including luxury items such as paintings, a grand piano, designer clothes and personalized slippers. The most significant item on the block was the 10.54 Carat emerald cut engagement ring once owned by Madoff and his wife Ruth. The anonymous bidder paid $550,000

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40169595/ns/today/

World Jeweler's Insurer, Jewelers Mutual, earns A+ Superior Rating from A.M. Best

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company  earned an A+ Superior rating from A.M. Best for the 24th consecutive year. The company stated that for the jewelry industry and its consumers, this rating attests to the financial strength and security of Jewelers Mutual.

The A.M. Best rating validates the company's reputation specializing in jewelry insurance and proves consistent profitability. Financial stability has allowed Jewelers Mutual to specialize in jewelry and serve the jewelry industry for nearly 100 years.

"It is truly an honor to earn an A+ Superior rating and we're proud to have done so for 24 years," says Darwin Copeman, chief executive of Jewelers Mutual. "This rating further assures our prospective and current policyholders that we are equipped to pay their claims and that they can count on us now and in the future."

Source: Rapaport

Have a Large Diamond that you would like to Sell?

World Jeweler, Inc. strives to live up to its namesake by having traveling buyers and stores available to you across the U.S. nation and worldwide. As a diamond buyer, we specialize in large diamonds 3 carats and more. We have a courteous and knowledgeable staff available to help you.

To get started, we have an easy and instant online service to help us give you a fair appraisal for the highest price paid to you. Click here to fill out a form about the diamond you would like to sell.

If you have a jewelry or watch on hand, click here to find the appropriate form.

For any other questions, feel free to contact us.