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Argonne National Laboratory’s Quantum Computing Advancement: Extending Qubit Coherence Time
A significant advancement in quantum computing has been made by a research team from Argonne National Laboratory. They have managed to extend the coherence time of a novel single-electron quantum bit (qubit) to 0.1 milliseconds. This achievement is nearly a thousand times better than prior benchmarks.
Key Discoveries in Quantum Computing
Coherence is vital for effective communication, encompassing various fields from writing to information processing. This concept is also crucial for qubits, the foundational units of quantum computing. Such computers have the potential to address challenges in climate forecasting, material development, drug discovery, among others.
Under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, a significant step has been taken towards the future of quantum computing. The coherence time of their innovative qubit type was expanded to an impressive 0.1 milliseconds, a vast enhancement from earlier records.
Dafei Jin, affiliated with both the University of Notre Dame and Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale Materials, highlighted the capability of their qubits, noting that they can carry out 10,000 operations with utmost precision and rapidity, in contrast to the typical 10 to 100 operations.
Importance in Quantum Studies
In our daily lives, 0.1 milliseconds is exceptionally brief. Yet, in quantum studies, it is substantial enough for a qubit to execute numerous operations. A working qubit’s ability to maintain a mixed state for an extended coherence period is crucial. A significant challenge remains in shielding the qubit from environmental disturbances.
The team’s qubits store quantum data in electron charge states, hence the term charge qubits. Dafei Jin accentuated the appeal of electron charge qubits due to their straightforward fabrication, operation, and compatibility with classical computer infrastructures. This simplicity could result in reduced expenses for constructing and operating large-scale quantum computers.
Qubit Design Innovations
The qubit in focus is a single electron confined on an ultrapure solid-neon surface in a vacuum. Neon, non-reactive with other elements, ensures the electron qubit is safeguarded, inherently providing extended coherence time. Xu Han, associated with both CNM and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, pointed out the compactness and scalability potential of their electron qubit.
After persistent experimentation, the team achieved a coherence time of 0.1 milliseconds, marking a thousand-fold leap from the initial 0.1 microseconds.
Forward-Looking Achievements
A qubit’s capacity to interconnect with multiple other qubits is another pivotal feature. The team successfully demonstrated that two-electron qubits could connect to a shared superconducting circuit, facilitating data transfer. This achievement is a significant step towards two-qubit entanglement, a core component of quantum computing.
The team’s research journey is ongoing, with aspirations to further enhance coherence time and achieve multi-qubit entanglement.
This study was publicized in Nature Physics and was financially supported by various institutions, including the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Argonne, and the Julian Schwinger Foundation for Physics Research.
Contributors to this research encompass several prestigious institutions and individuals, such as Dafei Jin, Xu Han, Xinhao Li, and others from establishments like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about quantum coherence
What significant advancement did the Argonne National Laboratory achieve in quantum computing?
The research team from Argonne National Laboratory extended the coherence time of a novel single-electron quantum bit (qubit) to 0.1 milliseconds, which is nearly a thousand times better than prior benchmarks.
What is the importance of coherence in quantum computing?
Coherence is essential for effective communication in various domains, including quantum bits or qubits. Maintaining a mixed state for an extended coherence period is crucial for a working qubit, especially in shielding it from environmental disturbances.
How does the team’s qubit store quantum information?
The team’s qubits store quantum data in the electron’s charge states, and due to this, they are termed charge qubits.
What makes electron charge qubits especially attractive in quantum computing?
Electron charge qubits are especially appealing due to their straightforward fabrication and operation. They are also compatible with existing infrastructures for classical computers, suggesting a potential for reduced expenses in building large-scale quantum computers.
What is the significance of the neon surface in the qubit design?
The qubit is a single electron situated on an ultrapure solid-neon surface in a vacuum. Neon’s non-reactivity ensures that the electron qubit is safeguarded from disturbances, inherently providing a longer coherence time.
How did the team demonstrate the scalability of their qubit?
The team showed that two-electron qubits could be linked to a shared superconducting circuit, allowing data to be transferred between them. This achievement is a step towards two-qubit entanglement, a fundamental aspect of quantum computing.
Where was the team’s research published?
The research was published in the journal “Nature Physics”.
More about quantum coherence
- Argonne National Laboratory’s Official Website
- Nature Physics Journal
- U.S. Department of Energy
- University of Notre Dame
- Center for Nanoscale Materials
- Quantum Computing Overview
- Introduction to Qubits
5 comments
Remember reading about the previous benchmarks and this is leaps ahead. argonne is clearly on the cutting edge. Would love to read more bout it. Can someone link the actual article from Nature Physics?
So neon is the secret sauce here? Who would’ve thunk. thought it was just for bright signs in the city lol.
i’m not a techy person but this sounds really impressive. Especially for those in the tech space. If only I understood half of it.
This quantum stuff blows my mind everytime. I mean, 0.1 milliseconds sounds tiny, but in the quantum world, its huge! hats off to the Argonne team.
wait, so they made a qubit that’s a 1000 times better? thats some next level work. Kudos to Jin and his crew.