Physicists make a major step towards stability in quantum computing

Quantum computing has long faced a major hindrance — the ability to preserve information requires controlling for energy losses and shifts. Researchers have found a different approach which may provide a solution to this problem.

Artistic impression of a superconducting resonator coupled with its quantum-mechanical environment (Heikka Valja.)

Quantum computers require the ability to store information for a long period in order to solve problems faster than a regular computer. The difficulty this poses is that energy loses can change the state of qubits — the quantum computing equivalent to bits in conventional computing — resulting in the destruction of this information.

Therefore, one of the major problems that scientists have attempted to crack in quantum computing has been the prevention of said energy losses. Dr Mikko Mottonen and his team have taken a different approach to the problem. What if, instead of preventing energy losses, they work around them?

Artistic impression of a superconducting resonator coupled it its quantum-mechanical environment. Figure (Heikka Valja)

As Mottonen explains: “Years ago we realized that quantum computers actually need dissipation to operate efficiently…