Researchers have made significant progress in developing a new type of qubit, the building block of quantum computers.

This breakthrough involves trapping a single electron on a solid neon surface, known as an electron-on-solid-neon qubit.

Why Qubits Matter:

Quantum computers hold immense potential to solve problems that would take regular computers years. But for this to happen, we need reliable qubits.

These special bits can exist in a state of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, a property called superposition. However, this ability only lasts for a limited time, known as coherence time. The longer the coherence time, the more powerful the quantum computer.

This new approach uses a single electron trapped on solid neon. Recent studies have revealed crucial details about how the electron behaves in this setup.

These findings, published in Physical Review Letters by Professor Wei Guo's team, will help engineers build better qubits.

A diagram of an electron-on-solid-neon quantum bit. Credit: Courtesy of Wei Guo

The Secret Ingredient: Bumpy Neon

The study discovered that tiny bumps on the neon surface naturally bind the electrons, creating ring-shaped quantum states.

Importantly, when these bumps have a specific size, the electron's energy levels align perfectly with the energy of microwave photons. This allows for precise manipulation of the electron, a critical requirement for quantum computing.

Compared to traditional qubits based on semiconductors or superconductors, electron-on-solid-neon qubits boast a much longer coherence time – up to 100 times longer! This advantage stems from the inherent stability and purity of solid neon.

Additionally, this design avoids issues like liquid surface vibrations that plague other approaches.

Optimizing for Performance:

The next step is to refine the design for even better performance. Ideally, the qubit surface should be mostly smooth with strategically placed bumps of the right size.

This minimizes unwanted electrical noise while ensuring efficient electron trapping using microwave resonators.

Further research is crucial to understand how manufacturing conditions influence the final qubit structure.

By fine-tuning factors like neon temperature and pressure during production, scientists can build more precise qubits, paving the way for powerful quantum computers that can tackle previously impossible calculations.

Sources:

Published 18 June 2024, Physical Review Letters; “Single-Electron Qubits Based on Quantum Ring States on Solid Neon Surface”

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.250603

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