Advances in Quantum State Research

The last two days have seen two extremely interesting breakthroughs announced in quantum computing. There is a long path ahead, but these both point to the potential for dramatically upscaling ambitions for what's possible in relatively short timeframes. The most prominent advance was Microsoft's announcement of Majorana 1, a chip powered by "topological qubits" using a new material. This enables hardware-protected qubits that are more stable and fault-tolerant. The chip currently contains 8 topologic qubits, but it is designed to house one million. This is many orders of dimension larger than current systems. DARPA has selected the system for its utility-scale quantum computing program. Microsoft believes they can create a fault-tolerant quantum computer prototype in years. The other breakthrough is extraordinary: quantum gate teleportation, linking two quantum processes using quantum teleportation. Instead of packing millions of qubits into a single machine—which is exceptionally challenging—this approach allows smaller quantum devices to be connected via optical fibers, working together as one system. Oxford University researchers proved that distributed quantum computing can perform powerful calculations more efficiently than classical systems. This could not only create a pathway to workable quantum computers, but also a quantum internet, enabling ultra-secure communication and advanced computational capabilities. It certainly seems that the pace of scientific progress is increasing. Some of the applications - such as in quantum computing - could have massive implications, including in turn accelerating science across domains.

Major milestone achieved in new quantum computing architecture "A team led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Argonne National Laboratory has achieved a major milestone toward future quantum computing. They have extended the coherence time for their novel type of qubit to an impressive 0.1 milliseconds — nearly a thousand times better than the previous record." "The team’s qubit is a single electron trapped on an ultraclean solid-neon surface in a vacuum. The neon is important because it resists disturbance from the surrounding environment. Neon is one of a handful of elements that do not react with other elements. The neon platform keeps the electron qubit protected and inherently guarantees a long coherence time." "Yet another important attribute of a qubit is its scalability to link with many other qubits. The team achieved a significant milestone by showing that two-electron qubits can couple to the same superconducting circuit such that information can be transferred between them through the circuit. This marks a pivotal stride toward two-qubit entanglement, a critical aspect of quantum computing." "The team has not yet fully optimized their electron qubit and will continue to work on extending the coherence time even further as well as entangling two or more qubits." This research was published in Nature Physics (https://lnkd.in/d5Y5Dfea) https://lnkd.in/dkXd_Uje

World-First Molecular Quantum Entanglement Achieved at Durham University In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists at Durham University in the UK have successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement of molecules with a record-breaking fidelity of 92%. This marks the first time entanglement has been achieved with molecules, advancing quantum mechanics research and opening doors to revolutionary technologies in communication, sensing, and computing. Key Highlights: 1. Quantum Entanglement Basics: Quantum entanglement links particles such that the state of one influences the other, regardless of distance. This phenomenon is a cornerstone for developing next-generation quantum technologies, enabling faster communication and enhanced computational power. 2. ‘Magic-Wavelength’ Optical Tweezers: The team utilized highly precise optical traps known as magic-wavelength optical tweezers to create environments supporting long-lasting molecular entanglement. These advanced tools allowed for stable control and manipulation of molecular states. 3. Applications: • Quantum Networking: Entanglement over existing fiber optic cables could accelerate the real-world deployment of quantum networks without requiring extensive new infrastructure. • Quantum Computing and Sensing: Molecules, with their complex internal structures, offer new dimensions for computation and precision sensing, potentially surpassing the capabilities of entangled atoms. 4. Major Milestone: While entanglement between atoms has been repeatedly demonstrated, molecules bring added complexity due to their additional internal structures. Achieving high-fidelity entanglement with molecules is a significant step forward in the field. Implications for the Future: This breakthrough could lead to advancements in secure communication, more powerful quantum computers, and sophisticated sensing technologies. As quantum entanglement becomes more applicable to real-world systems, innovations like this set the stage for transformative developments in science and technology.

Physicists have created "hotter" Schrödinger cat states, which are quantum states that exist in multiple conditions at once, by maintaining quantum superpositions at higher temperatures than previously possible. This breakthrough, achieved at temperatures up to 1.8 Kelvin—or about 60 times hotter than the previous record—demonstrates that quantum phenomena can persist in warmer, less ideal conditions. This could significantly lower the cost and complexity of quantum technology, making quantum computers more practical and easier to build. The breakthrough What they are: A "Schrödinger cat state" is a quantum system in a superposition of two distinct states simultaneously, a concept named after the famous thought experiment. The challenge: Normally, these states are so fragile they must be maintained at temperatures near absolute zero to prevent the superposition from collapsing. The new achievement: A research team created these states at temperatures up to 1.8 Kelvin, which is much warmer than the previous limit. How they did it: They adapted experimental protocols to generate and maintain the quantum states at these higher temperatures, using a specialized microwave resonator and carefully designed microwave pulses. Significance for quantum technology Reduced costs: The ability to perform experiments at higher temperatures means less need for extremely expensive and complex cooling equipment. New possibilities: It shows that quantum interference can persist even in less-than-ideal conditions, opening new opportunities for quantum computing and other technologies. More practical quantum computers: By proving that quantum effects are more robust, this research moves quantum technology closer to practical applications that could run in less controlled environments. More info: https://lnkd.in/e8YfDxyb

Quantum computing is pushing the boundaries of chemical simulations to unprecedented accuracy! In a groundbreaking study recently published in The Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, researchers from IBM Quantum® and Lockheed Martin demonstrated a significant milestone in quantum chemistry, the application of sample-based quantum diagonalization (SQD) techniques to accurately model "open-shell" molecules. Why is this critical? Open-shell molecules like CH₂ (methylene) have unpaired electrons, resulting in complex electronic structures that classical computational methods struggle to simulate accurately. Methylene is particularly intriguing because its high reactivity and magnetic properties significantly influence combustion processes, atmospheric chemistry, and even interstellar phenomena. By harnessing quantum computing, researchers successfully calculated CH₂’s singlet-triplet energy gap—a notoriously difficult challenge for classical approaches. This advancement paves the way for accurately predicting chemical reactivity and designing novel materials crucial for aerospace, catalysis, and sensor technologies. Quantum computing is becoming a transformative tool in real-world chemical research. Explore the full details of this landmark study below #QuantumComputing #QuantumChemistry #IBMQuantum #LockheedMartin #OpenShellMolecules #AerospaceInnovation #MaterialsScience #ChemicalSimulation

UNCONVENTIONAL SOLITONIC HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERFLUORESCENCE The ability to generate coherent macroscopic states and control their entanglement through external stimuli is fundamental to advancing quantum technologies. Traditionally, collective quantum phenomena, including Bose–Einstein condensation, superconductivity, superfluidity, and superradiance, have been confined to ultra-low temperatures, where thermal agitation-induced dephasing is minimized. The realization of high-temperature macroscopic quantum coherence marks a groundbreaking advancement, potentially revolutionizing quantum technologies by eliminating the need for extreme cooling in devices like quantum computers. Superfluorescence, a collective quantum phenomenon in which excited particles emit coherent light bursts, is closely related to other exotic quantum phases such as superconductivity and superfluidity. These states emerge when numerous quantum particles synchronize their behavior, functioning as a single coherent entity beyond the constraints of individual particles. Research at North Carolina State University presented the observation of room-temperature superfluorescence in hybrid perovskite thin films, revealing an unexpectedly high resilience to electronic dephasing from thermal fluctuations within this material platform. They finally explained how and why some materials work better than others in applications that require exotic quantum states at ambient temperatures. Rapid thermal dephasing restricts macroscopic quantum phenomena to cryogenic environments, posing a challenge for their realization at ambient temperatures. In condensed media, electronic excitations undergo dephasing primarily due to thermal lattice motion. Thus, controlling lattice dynamics is crucial for achieving collective electronic quantum states at higher temperatures. Practically, the discovery hinges on the role of polaronic quasiparticles, formed when electrons strongly couple with lattice distortions in the crystal structure. These large polarons act as protective shields, safeguarding the quantum dipoles responsible for superfluorescence from thermal agitation. Researchers uncovered the mechanism behind this insulating effect. By using a laser to excite electrons within hybrid perovskite materials, they observed large groups of polarons clustering together, forming a coherent structure known as a soliton, which interacts with the lattice collectively. This soliton formation mitigates thermal disturbances that would otherwise hinder quantum effects. A soliton emerges only when the material contains a sufficient density of excited polarons, particularly at low polaron densities, the system consists of free, incoherent polarons. However, beyond a critical density threshold, polarons transition into solitons. This marks one of the first direct observations of macroscopic quantum state formation. # https://lnkd.in/efWCEqge

A couple reflections on the quantum computing breakthrough we just announced... Most of us grew up learning there are three main types of matter that matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Today, that changed. After a nearly 20 year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of matter, unlocked by a new class of materials, topoconductors, that enable a fundamental leap in computing. It powers Majorana 1, the first quantum processing unit built on a topological core. We believe this breakthrough will allow us to create a truly meaningful quantum computer not in decades, as some have predicted, but in years. The qubits created with topoconductors are faster, more reliable, and smaller. They are 1/100th of a millimeter, meaning we now have a clear path to a million-qubit processor. Imagine a chip that can fit in the palm of your hand yet is capable of solving problems that even all the computers on Earth today combined could not! Sometimes researchers have to work on things for decades to make progress possible. It takes patience and persistence to have big impact in the world. And I am glad we get the opportunity to do just that at Microsoft. This is our focus: When productivity rises, economies grow faster, benefiting every sector and every corner of the globe. It’s not about hyping tech; it’s about building technology that truly serves the world. Read more about our discovery, and why it matters, here: https://aka.ms/AAu76rr

For those tracking progress in Quantum… As my colleague Hartmut Neven has predicted, real-world applications possible only on quantum computers are much closer than people think – as near as five years, even though fully error corrected quantum computers may be further away.  Recently, my colleagues on our Quantum AI team at Google Research took another important step on that path with a new set of results we published last week in Nature that share a promising new approach to applications on today’s quantum computers. Our analog-digital quantum simulator using super-conducting qubits shows performance beyond the reach of classical simulations in cross-entropy benchmarking experiments. Simulations with the level of experimental fidelity in this simulator would require more than a million years on a Frontier supercomputer. The simulator brings together digital’s flexibility and control with the analog’s speed – and provides a path towards applications that cannot be accomplished on a classical computer. Along the way, my colleagues also made a scientific discovery – they observed the breakdown of a well-known prediction in non-equilibrium physics, the Kibble-Zurek mechanism - an important result in our understanding of magnetism, and also useful in various kinds of quantum simulations. Congratulations to Trond Andersen, Nikita Astrakhantsev, and the rest of the team on this exciting step – much more to come! You can read the Nature paper here: https://lnkd.in/gg2En5qe 

As a materials scientist, I’ve followed years of research, and Microsoft’s Majorana is going to redefine the technology. What It Is: Majorana 1 is built using a new type of material called a topoconductor. Unlike ordinary materials (solids, liquids, or gases), this new state helps protect delicate quantum information. How It Works: Instead of using regular qubits made from atoms, ions, or photons (which can easily lose their information if hit by stray particles), Majorana 1 uses special particles (called Majorana quasiparticles) that hold electrons at both ends of tiny wires. This design keeps the quantum state safe, even if there’s noise. Why It’s Important: It took 17 years to perfect this method, and the breakthrough was published in Nature. The chip currently has 8 qubits, with plans to scale up to 1 million qubits on a chip the size of a credit card. This could one day help solve big problems like cleaning up microplastics or creating self-healing bridges and buildings and even allow AI to design perfect products on the first try. Microsoft’s Majorana 1 shows that the future of practical quantum computing might be closer than we think! #Majorana #Microsoft #Innovation