Livescience reports: A new "geometry‑based" quantum swap gate makes neutral‑atom computers far less sensitive to laser noise — bringing large‑scale, stable quantum processors a step closer to reality. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Researchers have created a new type of "quantum operation" that is dramatically more stable than previous methods.
The achievement brings one hardware design, in particular — neutral‑atom qubits — a step closer to powering useful quantum computers. Quantum computers use qubits that can exist in a state of 0, 1 or a superposition of both. Key to their processing power are "gates" capable of shuffling qubits between those states so they can run calculations in parallel.
Background
One critical type of gate is called a swap gate, which allows information to be routed through a machine by exchanging two qubits' states. Many quantum systems rely on highly excited electronic states or collisions between atoms, as well as on the tunnel effect, in which particles slip through obstacles that would be impassable according to classical physics. However, swap gates that use those techniques (particularly the tunnel effect) are subject to how quickly lasers — which suspend neutrally charged atoms in place to form the qubits — can be turned on and how powerful they are.
Key facts
- A new "geometry‑based" quantum swap gate makes neutral‑atom computers far less sensitive to laser noise — bringing large‑scale, stable quantum processors a step closer to reality.
- When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- Researchers have created a new type of "quantum operation" that is dramatically more stable than previous methods.
- The achievement brings one hardware design, in particular — neutral‑atom qubits — a step closer to powering useful quantum computers.
- Quantum computers use qubits that can exist in a state of 0, 1 or a superposition of both.
What this means
This means that tiny fluctuations in the timing or strength of a laser could introduce errors and a lack of fidelity into the system, making a gate unreliable. It feeds into the major bottleneck preventing scientists from scaling up quantum computing so they can be more powerful than the world's fastest supercomputers: qubits are highly susceptible to sustaining errors and breaking down during calculations. This rate is roughly 1 in 1,000 versus 1 in 1 trillion for conventional bits.
To resolve this issue, scientists at ETH Zurich devised a way to make qubits in neutral-atom quantum computers far more stable than ever before. They outlined their findings in a study published April 8 in the journal Nature. Rather than relying on conventional gates, the team used a subtler physical effect called a geometric phase.
Originally reported by Livescience. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
