Scientists generate pairs of photons using simple semiconductor device.

The article reports that researchers at Toshiba's laboratories in Cambridge, England have developed a pair of photons that can be used for quantum computation, quantum cryptographic key distribution. Named as "entangled" photons, these photon pairs have been produced on demand from a semiconductor quantum dot. The most technique for creating entangled photons is a method known as parametric down-conversion, in which a lithium niobate crystal is pumped by a powerful laser.