Defect center room-temperature quantum processors

Quantum information devices promise unique opportunities in information technology. Physicists are intrigued with building such devices because they probe our understanding of the nature of quantum mechanics. Quantum effects, although providing the basis of atomic, molecular, and solid state physics, usually are not observed in everyday life because the highly fragile nature of coherence and entanglement requires extensive shielding against environmental effects. Early pioneers in the field of quantum information envisioned the quantum processor to be kept at Kelvin temperatures in an ultrahigh vacuum. And, indeed, most approaches today are based on such technology. Weber et al. (1) now pave the way for a systematic search of hardware for room-temperature quantum devices. The existence of such hardware would truly revolutionize our thinking about quantum hardware and bring quantum technology to a desktop experience.