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Scientists achieve 'impossible task' of controlling light in quantum computing
New technique protects qubits from disturbance during measurements

Scientists achieve 'impossible task' of controlling light in quantum computing

Sep 28, 2024
05:32 pm

What's the story

A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada has cracked a way to control laser light used in manipulating qubits, which are the building blocks of quantum info. This is a big deal because it tackles one of the toughest problems in quantum science: keeping qubits safe during their reset, measurement, or deletion. They also managed to measure and reset a trapped ion qubit without messing with the ones nearby.

Qubit preservation

The challenge of preserving qubits

Keeping qubits safe is a big hurdle in quantum science. Just one change to a single qubit can affect its neighbors and cause data loss. The current ways of shielding these quantum bits have their downsides; they often need extra resources or steps that can add new errors and bring down efficiency.

Innovative approach

The solution: Controlling laser light

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have found a way to tackle this issue. They've brought together two technologies—ion trap qubits and beam holographic shaping—to manage laser light in a way that it doesn't mess with other qubits when one's at work. This method keeps the light laser-focused on its target and prevents it from spilling over to other qubits, keeping them safe and sound.

Experimental triumph

The experiment was a success

The team's experiment was a big win. They successfully controlled and contained scattered photons, ensuring that neighboring qubits stayed safe from any disturbance or damage. This is a massive achievement, as it was previously believed to be nearly impossible to measure a single qubit without impacting the qubits in the surrounding.