Shaking Up Quantum Computing

Emerging quantum computing technologies are a hot area of research and hold a tremendous potential for transforming a number of fields. Quantum computers operate based on the principles of quantum mechanics, allowing them to perform complex computations at unprecedented speeds and tackle problems that are practically intractable for classical computers. While quantum computing is still in its early stages, it has already shown some promising advancements.

But despite all of the buzz surrounding quantum computing technologies, they are not yet ready for widespread use outside of a laboratory environment. They are highly sensitive and delicate systems that require precise control and extreme environmental conditions to function properly. Even slight disturbances from factors like temperature fluctuations, electromagnetic radiation, or vibrations can disrupt the delicate quantum states and introduce errors in computations.

Phonons, the smallest units of vibrational energy, are ubiquitous and exist in virtually all solid-state and quantum systems. And while they play a vital role in the normal operation of quantum systems, when environmental phonons interact with a quantum processor it can lead to an unexpected loss of information. It is incredibly difficult to isolate a quantum computer from interference of this sort even under highly controlled laboratory environments. As would be expected, the challenge will be much greater under real-world conditions.

A team of researchers at Michigan State University, MIT, and Washington University believe that they have developed a tool that will help developers of quantum systems to overcome the problems associated with environmental vibrational energy in the future. In and of itself, it will not solve the issues, but it does provide a wealth of valuable information about exactly how qubits (quantum bits) are impacted by phonons.

The researchers designed and built a superconducting qubit (which is among the most commonly used types presently) that is paired with surface acoustic wave resonators. These resonators allow very specific vibration patterns to be created. With a clear understanding of the nature of the vibrations, one can then observe how the qubit reacts. Ultimately, this could lead to a more complete understanding of the interactions between phonons and quantum processors. And that, in turn, could result in the development of new quantum technologies that are able to withstand environmental interference without a loss of information.

As Joe Kitzman, one of the researchers involved in the work, put it, “if you can understand how these environmental losses affect the system, you can use that to your advantage. The first step in solving a problem is understanding it.”

It is hoped that this work will lead to stable, practical quantum computers for use under real-world conditions in the future. Such a development could be a huge boon to a wide range of applications in areas such as finance, scientific research, and cybersecurity.