Building the Qubits for Tomorrow’s Quantum Computers
▼ Summary
– Nokia Bell Labs is developing topological qubits, which use spatial orientation of matter to encode information rather than individual particles.
– These qubits are manipulated using electromagnetic fields and are inherently more stable, with potential lifespans of days compared to milliseconds for current qubits.
– The technology builds on the fractional quantum Hall effect discovered in the 1980s, but controlling topological states remains an unprecedented challenge.
– The team aims to demonstrate the first intentional control of topological states in 2025, a critical step toward building a functional quantum computer.
– Successful development could enable more efficient quantum machines capable of solving complex problems in chemistry, drug development, climate science, and supply chain optimization.
The future of quantum computing may depend on a fundamentally different kind of qubit, one that trades fragility for unprecedented stability. Researchers at Nokia Bell Labs are pioneering topological qubits, an approach that could solve the core instability problems plaguing current quantum systems. Rather than relying on fleeting quantum states in individual particles, this method encodes information in the spatial arrangement of matter itself, creating a far more resilient foundation for computation.
By using electromagnetic fields to manipulate charges within a supercooled electron liquid, scientists can trigger transitions between topological states and lock them in place for extended durations. Michael Eggleston, Research Group Leader at Nokia Bell Labs, explains the inherent stability of this system: “We have these electrons sitting in a plane. If I move them around each other, they enter a different state, but that’s very difficult to do accidentally. This allows us to build a stable, controllable system.”
While conventional qubits last mere milliseconds, topological qubits could remain coherent for several days, a staggering improvement in longevity. “It’s incredibly stable,” Eggleston emphasizes. “Many orders of magnitude more stable.”
The scientific roots of this innovation trace back to the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to Bell Labs scientists Daniel Tsui and Horst Störmer for their discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect. This phenomenon, observed when electrons are subjected to intense magnetic fields and extreme cold, produces exotic states of matter now being harnessed to construct topological qubits nearly four decades later.
Yet the path forward remains largely uncharted. “The development can be frustrating because nobody’s done this before,” Eggleston admits. “We’re often ahead of the theorists.” To accelerate progress, the Nokia Bell Labs team has collaborated with competitors like Microsoft, pooling knowledge to advance the entire field.
A critical milestone awaits in the coming months: the team aims to demonstrate intentional control over a topological qubit for the very first time. “Nobody’s ever shown you can control the topological state and switch it on and off,” says Eggleston. “That’s what we’re working to demonstrate this year.” Success would set the stage for quantum gating operations in 2025, essential steps toward a functional quantum computer.
If achieved, topological qubits could redefine what quantum computers are capable of. Instead of requiring billion-dollar installations that fill entire buildings, future systems could be far more compact, efficient, and powerful. They promise to tackle optimization problems and simulations involving billions of variables, with applications spanning chemistry, drug discovery, climate science, and logistics.
Eggleston highlights the potential impact on chemistry, where quantum simulations could replace slow, costly trial-and-error processes. “When someone designs a bridge, they don’t just build a bunch and see which one doesn’t fall down. They simulate, test, and optimize. That’s what quantum computing could offer chemistry.”
From modeling complex molecular interactions to optimizing global supply chains or designing advanced aerospace materials, the possibilities are vast. But first, a practical, stable qubit must become reality, and topological qubits may well be the answer.
(Source: Technology Review)
