Quantum Computing

Having revolutionized our world in a matter of decades, computers are set for a revolution of their own. Quantum computing promises systems that can perform complicated calculations in a fraction of the time it would take classical computers. Although still in their infancy, quantum computers are set to deliver an incredible leap forward in computing capabilities.

Quantum Computing Audio available

Physicists measure how long graphene qubits hover in "alive/dead" superposition

Michael Irving January 1, 2019

Practical quantum computers may be another step closer to reality, thanks again to graphene. The bits of information in quantum computers (qubits) can exist in two states at once, and now researchers have managed to record just how long that superposition state can last in a qubit made of graphene.

Researchers have managed to record how long graphene "qubits" can stay in a superposition state

Quantum Computing

Cooling the qubit: Quantum computing gets more stable

Michael Franco July 28, 2017

In quantum computing, information is stored in qubits – trapped molecular material. But qubits are notoriously slippery characters. Now MIT scientists have managed to get a molecule to remain stable for "hundreds of times longer" than previously, making a usable qubit closer than ever to reality.

Researchers relied on lasers and supercool temperatures to trap their qubit

Quantum Computing

IBM reveals prototype of its first commercial quantum computer processor

Michael Irving May 18, 2017

Having provided access to a quantum processor through the cloud for a year, IBM is revealing a new generation of processors. A 16-qubit processor will increase the processing power available through the cloud, while the second is twice as powerful again and designed for commercial applications.

IBM has unveiled its new quantum computer processors, seen here encased in a cryogenic chamber

Quantum Computing

Nanoscale refrigerator helps quantum computers keep their cool

Michael Irving May 9, 2017

The next big breakthrough for electronics is likely to be quantum computers, but there are still plenty of hurdles to jump before they become a reality. A team from Aalto University in Finland may have cleared one of those obstacles, developing a “nanorefrigerator” to help cool components down.

The Aalto team's chip contains two parallel superconducting oscillators, connected to quantum-circuit refrigerators that use tunnelling ...

Quantum Computing

Predicting the future brings stability to quantum computing

Michael Franco January 16, 2017

Researchers have recently blasted through another quantum quandary, potentially bringing stability to the notoriously unstable world that exists in these computing systems. New Atlas spoke with one of the researchers to get more information about the potentially game-changing work.

Quantum Computing

Voltage control method brings large-scale quantum computers within reach

Colin Jeffrey December 5, 2016

Researchers at the University of Sussex claim to have produced a method that removes lasers from quantum logic gates, thereby removing one of the largest stumbling blocks to producing a workable, full-sized quantum computer system

Scientists working at Sussex University have done away with the cumbersome lasers normally used to align ...

Quantum Computing

Slamming carbon out of diamonds with silicon creates quantum computing bridge

Colin Jeffrey October 17, 2016

In one more step on the road to a functional quantum computer, researchers at Harvard University and Sandia Ion Beam Laboratory claim to have created the very first "bridge" that could effectively link strings of quantum computers together in a single networked unit.

Researchers working at Harvard University and Sandia Ion Beam Laboratory claim to have built a quantum ...

Quantum Computing

China launches world's first quantum satellite

Colin Jeffrey August 18, 2016

Chinese scientists claim to have launched the world's first quantum communications satellite with which they intend to experiment with quantum communication and teleportation from space, in the hope of one day producing an entire global network of quantum communication systems.

The QUESS satellite being launched on a Long March-2D rocket

Quantum Computing

Primitive quantum computers may already outperform standard machines for very specific tasks

Colin Jeffrey May 12, 2016

Current quantum processors were once thought of as only precursors to creating future quantum computers, and too simple to do anything useful on their own. Now researchers have discovered a way to use them to solve very specific tasks much faster than normal computers can today

Bristol PhD student Xiaogang Qiang and the primitive photonic quantum processor he designed with UWA researchers ...

Quantum Computing

IBM brings quantum computing to the masses

Colin Jeffrey May 5, 2016

Through IBM Quantum Experience, the public will be able to experiment with individual quantum bits (qubits), process their own experiments, and run some of their own algorithms directly on IBM's quantum processor.

A fundamental initiative within the newly formed IBM Research Frontiers Institute, the new 5 qubit processor ...