A breakthrough in studying light might just be the ticket to the future of quantum computing. Researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have found a way to determine how light behaves beyond the limitations of wavelengths, opening the door to encoding quantum data in a sci-fi style holographic light pattern. The team took advantage of the quantum nature of the interaction between electrons and light to separate beams in terms energy, not space that let them use light pulses to encrypt info on the electron wave and map it with a speedy electron microscope.
Existing techniques for both studying light and extracting 3D info are inherently limited by the size of wavelengths. This allows a considerably higher resolution that can even include holographic movies of fast-moving objects.
The approach is still very early and might not reach quantum computers for a long time. However, it does hint at a future where you could have secure yet small quantum processors. Existing quantum computers tend to be giant, room-sized affairs and there's no guarantee EPFL's design will lead to something that fits on your desk or in your pocket, but it's a step in the right direction.