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Episode · Zero Knowledge

Exploring the Lasers that Power Quantum Computers

7 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 15 min

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This week, Anna and Guillermo chat with Josh Yang , CEO and co-founder of Brightlight Photonics , about the lasers that power quantum computers. Josh explains how lasers are used in neutral atom and other atom-based quantum systems to cool and move atoms, manipulate qubit states and read out results. They explore why these systems require so many different lasers and how today’s bulky, expensive optical setups can become a bottleneck as quantum computers scale. They also cover Brightlight’s work miniaturising the Ti:sapphire laser, a longstanding workhorse of quantum optics. Josh explains…

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Zero Knowledge

Zero Knowledge Podcast · Tech & Science · English

Zero Knowledge is a podcast which goes deep into the tech that will power the emerging decentralised web and the community building this. Covering the latest in zero knowledge research and applications, the open web as well as future technologies and paradigms that promise to change the way we inter

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