Cloud Hosting

Worlds deepest cleanroom will be used to study how radiation affects qubits in quantum computers

SNOLAB, Sudburys underground science research facility, is partnering two other organizations to study how radiation impacts quantum computing.

Researchers at SNOLAB, located two kilometres below the surface at Creighton Mine, are teaming up with researchers from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden on the work.

SNOLAB maintains the lowest muon flux in the world and advanced cryogenics testing capabilities, making it an ideal place to conduct valuable research on quantum technologies, Dr. Jeter Hall, director of research at SNOLAB, said in a news release. In addition, SNOLABs next generation dark matter experiments promise to be early adopters of quantum technology, so we have multiple, vested interests in the outcome of this project.

Titled Advanced Characterization and Mitigation of Qubit Decoherence in a Deep Underground Environment, the research is sponsored by the Army Research Office, a directorate of the U.S Combat Capabilities Development Commands Army Research Laboratory.

The grant was to Dr. Chris Wilson, a faculty member at IQC and professor in Waterloos Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, alongside SNOLAB director Hall, and Dr. Per Delsing, a professor at Chalmers University and director of the Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology.

By partnering with the experts in dark matter and cosmic radiation at SNOLAB, we can bring together their expertise and strengths with the superconducting qubit skills we have at IQC and Chalmers, said Wilson. Were also able to connect to the quantum communities and funding within the United States while showcasing the unique facilities and capabilities in Canadas scientific ecosystem.

But what does it all mean?

Like classic computers use something called a bit to describe a unit of digital information, quantum computing uses something similar, a qubit or quantum bit. Digital bits and quantum qubits dont behave the same way though, and qubits are susceptible to error when hit by high energy particles, such as cosmic rays or radioactivity.

This results in an error hotspot, which spreads out to neighbouring qubits, and has been seen happening at a rate of about once every 10 seconds, setting an upper limit on quantum calculation time, SNOLAB said in a news release.

While digital computers can use design rules and error correction to account for these high energy particles, the same is not true in quantum computing. Sometimes all the qubits will error in response to radiation, creating a challenge known as decoherence, where the qubit loses its quantum state.

With this project, we hope to start understanding whats going on with the qubit decoherence in relation to cosmic rays, and then start understanding how the radiation affects the qubits in more controlled ways, Wilson said.

Using the Canadian Shield to create a low background environment, SNOLABs unique environment allows the research collaboration to isolate the qubits from the cosmic radiation at the surface.

High-quality superconducting qubits will be manufactured in the fabrication facilities at Chalmers University, and then tested at the surface in both Sweden and Waterloo, as well as underground at SNOLAB to study the differences in each environment, SNOLAB said.

We are super excited about this project, since it addresses the very important issue of how cosmic radiation affects quantum bits and quantum processors, said Delsing, the researcher from Chalmers. Getting access to the underground facility at SNOLAB is crucial to understand how the effects of cosmic radiation can be mitigated.

Continue reading here:
SNOLAB collaborating on quantum computing research - Sudbury.com

Apr 15 2024Reviewed by Lexie Corner

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a novel design idea for next-generation carbon-based quantum materials in the form of a small magnetic nanographene with a distinct butterfly shape that houses strongly correlated spins.

This innovative design has the potential to expedite the growth of quantum materials, which are critical for the development of advanced quantum computing technologies that will revolutionize information processing and high-density storage capacities.

Associate Professor Lu Jiong of the NUS Department of Chemistry and Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials headed the project, which also included Professor Wu Jishan from the NUS Department of Chemistry and international collaborators.

Magnetic nanographene, a nanostructure comprised of graphene molecules, has exceptional magnetic capabilities due to the behavior of particular electrons in the carbon atoms -orbitals. These unique electrons can be controlled by precisely arranging these carbon atoms at the nanoscale.

This makes nanographene particularly promising for producing incredibly small magnets and the essential building pieces required for quantum computers, known as quantum bits or qubits.

The researchers butterfly-shaped magnetic graphene features four rounded triangles that resemble butterfly wings. Each wing has an unpaired -electronresponsible for the discovered magnetic characteristics. The structure was created using an atomic-precise design of the -electron network in nanostructured graphene.

Magnetic nanographene, a tiny molecule composed of fused benzene rings, holds significant promise as a next-generation quantum material for hosting fascinating quantum spins due to its chemical versatility and long spin coherence time. However, creating multiple highly entangled spins in such systems is a daunting yet essential task for building scalable and complex quantum networks.

Lu Jiong, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore

The remarkable breakthrough is the result of close collaboration involving synthetic chemists, materials scientists, and physicists, including key contributors Professor Pavel Jelinek and Dr. Libor Vei of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague.

On February 19th, 2024, Nature Chemistry published this groundbreaking study.

The magnetic characteristics of nanographene are often determined by the configuration of its unique electrons, known as -electrons, or the strength of their interactions. However, combining these features to generate numerous associated spins is difficult. Nanographene also has a unique magnetic order, with spins aligning in either the same direction (ferromagnetic) or opposing directions (antiferromagnetic).

The researchers devised a strategy to circumvent these obstacles. Their butterfly-shaped nanographene, which has ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic characteristics, is created by merging four smaller triangles into a rhombus in the center. Nanographene is roughly 3 nanometers in size.

To make the butterfly nanographene, the researchers first created a unique molecule precursor using traditional in-solution chemistry. This precursor was then employed for the on-surface synthesis, a novel type of solid-phase chemical reaction carried out in a vacuum environment. This method enabled the researchers to accurately manipulate the form and structure of nanographene at the atomic level.

The butterfly nanographene has four unpaired -electrons, with spins delocalized in the wing regions and entangled together. The researchers used an ultra-cold scanning probe microscope with a nickelocene tip as an atomic-scale spin sensor to test the magnetism of butterfly nanographenes.

This novel technology also allows scientists to probe entangled spins directly to better understand how nanographenes magnetism operates at the atomic level. The innovation not only addresses current obstacles but also offers up new avenues for accurately manipulating magnetic characteristics at the smallest scale, resulting in promising advances in quantum materials research.

Lu added, The insights gained from this study pave the way for creating new-generation organic quantum materials with designer quantum spin architectures. Looking ahead, our goal is to measure the spin dynamics and coherence time at the single-molecule level and manipulate these entangled spins coherently. This represents a significant stride towards achieving more powerful information processing and storage capabilities.

Song, S., etal. (2024) Highly entangled polyradical nanographene with coexisting strong correlation and topological frustration. Nature Chemistry. doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01453-9

Source: https://nus.edu.sg/

Read more here:
Advancing Quantum Technologies with Magnetic Butterfly - AZoNano

image:

PhD researcher Luis Villegas Aguilar conducting the experiment

Credit: Griffith University

In a significant milestone for quantum communication technology, an experiment has demonstrated how networks can be leveraged to combat disruptive noise in quantum communications.

The international effort led by researchers from Griffith Universitys Centre for Quantum Dynamics highlights the potential of quantum networks in revolutionising communication technologies on a quantum level.

Researchers Dr Nora Tischler and Dr Sergei Slussarenko, Program Managers at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T) node at Griffith University, believe their findings were a first step towards large-scale quantum networks, which may fundamentally change how we communicate on a global scale.

The study delves into the intricate world of quantum entanglementa phenomenon where particles maintain a connection regardless of the distance between them. Quantum entanglement, which has long been recognised as a cornerstone of quantum technology, has intrigued scientists due to its potential applications in hyper-sensitive sensors and ultra-private communication channels.

CQC2T PhD Researcher Luis Villegas-Aguilar, alongside the team at Griffith University, embarked on a journey to explore the relationship between quantum entanglement and nonlocalitymysterious correlations that Einstein famously referred to as "spooky action at a distance."

The degradation of these quantum effects due to noise has posed a major challenge in realising their practical applications. The experiment conducted by the research team addressed this challenge head-on.

"In essence, our experiment demonstrates how networks can be utilised to overcome noise in quantum communications," explains Villegas-Aguilar. By simulating real-world conditions within a controlled environment, we aimed to enhance noise tolerance and 'activate' quantum nonlocality within a network structure.

To realise this goal, they joined forces with researchers from the University of New South Wales, Sorbonne University, France, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US. The team set up a three-station quantum network in their laboratories, mimicking configurations one might find in a future quantum internet.

In our experiment, we sent the entangled particles to different stations inside the lab. We used entangled single photons, which are quantum particles of light, Dr Tischler said.

The three-station quantum network, simulating noisy conditions that one might encounter in a larger, field-deployed network. First, we started with only two entangled photons and proved they could not produce quantum nonlocality past a specific noise limit.

Then, through meticulous design and implementation, the researchers observed a remarkable phenomenon: the previously lost quantum nonlocality could be recovered by adding an extra connectivity link.

We observed that adding the third station to the network configuration allowed us to overcome the effects of noise and activate quantum nonlocality, says Dr Emanuele Polino, a Postdoctoral Researcher involved with the experiment.

The team are confident that their results not only advanced our understanding of quantum phenomena, but also paved the way for the development of resilient and robust quantum technologies.

As the world continues to progress towards an era of quantum computing and communication, this research represents a significant milestone in harnessing the full potential of quantum mechanics.

The study Nonlocality activation in a photonic quantum network has been published inNature Communications.

Nature Communications

Experimental study

Nonlocality activation in a photonic quantum network

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Read the original:
Combatting disruptive noise in quantum comm - EurekAlert

Summary: Googles quantum computer, Sycamore, represents a significant breakthrough in computing, having demonstrated quantum supremacy by performing a calculation far beyond the capability of classical computers. This article explores the specifics of quantum computing technology, its current challenges, and potential future impacts, including energy sustainability and security implications.

Quantum computing is entering the spotlight as a powerful technology poised to outstrip traditional computing methods. Googles Sycamore quantum computer has catalyzed this movement by demonstrating quantum supremacy, completing a complex task in mere minutes versus the millennia it would take the best classical supercomputers.

Differing from traditional computers that process bits as zeros or ones, Sycamore operates using qubits. These qubits can exist in a state of superposition, where they can be in multiple states at once, dramatically increasing computational power and speed. Sycamore capitalized on this advantage with its 53 functioning qubits to make history.

While quantum computing is groundbreaking, it is not without its hurdles. Quantum machines are highly sensitive, requiring extremely cold environments for operation to prevent quantum decoherencean event that disrupts the state necessary for quantum calculations. Moreover, maintaining low error rates in quantum gate operations is crucial to preserve accurate results.

The promises of quantum computing extend to energy efficiency since these machines consume drastically less power than their classical counterparts. Only a small fraction of energy is needed for the calculations themselves, with the rest dedicated to maintaining the conditions necessary for the qubits to function.

The roadmap ahead for quantum computing is filled with both opportunities and challenges. Immediate benefits may be seen in fields like material science and complex simulations, but longer-term considerations must center around cybersecurity, ethical use, and international regulations that foster safe and beneficial advancement of quantum technology. Googles Sycamore is therefore not just a stride in computational capability but also a step into a future that demands careful management of powerful new technology.

Quantum Computings Industry and Market Forecast

Quantum computing is rapidly transforming from a theoretical concept to a market of vast potential. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, this technology is poised to revolutionize industries that depend on computational power. Industries such as cryptography, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and materials science are eagerly awaiting the advancements that quantum computers promise, especially in the realms of drug discovery, financial modeling, and optimizing complex systems.

The market for quantum computing is on an upward trajectory, with significant investments from both public and private sectors. Market research forecasts project that the quantum computing market could be worth billions of dollars in the next decade as technology matures and becomes commercially viable. The applications for quantum computing are extensive, with potential to disrupt almost every industry by enabling them to solve complex problems much more efficiently than classical computers.

Key Challenges and Issues

Despite the optimism, quantum computing faces substantial challenges. As indicated by the article, quantum computers operate under delicate conditions that are challenging to maintain. The susceptibility to quantum decoherence and the need for error correction mechanisms make scalability and reliability immediate concerns for the industry.

On top of technical challenges, there are also significant issues regarding data security. Quantum computers hold the power to break many of the current encryption methods, which protects essential communications globally, including in the realms of government and finance. This has led to an increased focus on developing quantum-resistant encryption methods, a pursuit that is now just as crucial as the development of quantum computers themselves.

Additionally, the ethical implications of quantum computing and the consequences of such computational power require attention. The proliferation of quantum technology raises questions about the balance of power, potential weapons development, and the exclusivity of access to such resources.

As the industry evolves, so will the regulations and international policies aimed at governing the use of quantum technologies. Its imperative for the global community to establish a framework to ensure that advances benefit society as a whole and that security risks are mitigated.

For continuous updates and information regarding quantum computing, please visit the official website of Google or the IBM main domain, which are engaged in research and development in this cutting-edge field.

In conclusion, quantum computing promises a future of unparalleled computational potential. The industry is poised to navigate a complex landscape of opportunities and challenges, with market forecasts indicating significant growth and the potential for transformative impacts across a myriad of sectors. Googles Sycamore serves as both a beacon of possibility and a reminder of the responsibilities inherent in ushering in such a profound technological evolution.

Roman Perkowski is a distinguished name in the field of space exploration technology, specifically known for his work on propulsion systems for interplanetary travel. His innovative research and designs have been crucial in advancing the efficiency and reliability of spacecraft engines. Perkowskis contributions are particularly significant in the development of sustainable and powerful propulsion methods, which are vital for long-duration space missions. His work not only pushes the boundaries of current space travel capabilities but also inspires future generations of scientists and engineers in the quest to explore the far reaches of our solar system and beyond.

Excerpt from:
Google's Sycamore and the Quantum Supremacy Milestone - yTech