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Category: computing – Page 8

Hunting for quantum-classical crossover in condensed matter problems

The intensive pursuit for quantum advantage in terms of computational complexity has further led to a modernized crucial question of when and how will quantum computers outperform classical computers. The next milestone is undoubtedly the realization of quantum acceleration in practical problems. Here we provide a clear evidence and arguments that the primary target is likely to be condensed matter physics. Our primary contributions are summarized as follows: 1) Proposal of systematic error/runtime analysis on state-of-the-art classical algorithm based on tensor networks; 2) Dedicated and high-resolution analysis on quantum resource performed at the level of executable logical instructions; 3) Clarification of quantum-classical crosspoint for ground-state simulation to be within runtime of hours using only a few hundreds of thousand physical qubits for 2d Heisenberg and 2d Fermi-Hubbard models, assuming that logical qubits are encoded via the surface code with the physical error rate of p = 10–3. To our knowledge, we argue that condensed matter problems offer the earliest platform for demonstration of practical quantum advantage that is order-of-magnitude more feasible than ever known candidates, in terms of both qubit counts and total runtime.

Yoshioka, N., Okubo, T., Suzuki, Y. et al. Hunting for quantum-classical crossover in condensed matter problems. npj Quantum Inf 10, 45 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-024-00839-4

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Topological quantum processor marks breakthrough in computing

In a leap forward for quantum computing, a Microsoft team led by UC Santa Barbara physicists on Wednesday unveiled an eight-qubit topological quantum processor, the first of its kind. The chip, built as a proof-of-concept for the scientists’ design, opens the door to the development of the long-awaited topological quantum computer.

“We’ve got a bunch of stuff that we’ve been keeping under wraps that we’re dropping all at once now,” said Microsoft Station Q Director Chetan Nayak, a professor of physics at UCSB and a Technical Fellow for Quantum Hardware at Microsoft. The chip was revealed at Station Q’s annual conference in Santa Barbara, and accompanies a paper published in the journal Nature, authored by Station Q, their Microsoft teammates and a host of collaborators that presents the research team’s measurements of these new qubits. (Circa Feb 20 2025)

Microsoft team led by UC Santa Barbara physicists unveils first-of-its-kind topological qubit, paving the way for a more fault-tolerant quantum computer.

German scientists create material that never existed before and could transform semiconductors, lasers, and quantum technology

German scientists have achieved a breakthrough. They have created a novel material, CSiGeSn. This alloy combines carbon, silicon, germanium, and tin. The new compound is stable. Experts believe it will revolutionize electronics and quantum computing. The team used existing chip manufacturing technology. This ensures compatibility. The discovery paves the way for advanced components. It also allows for scalable production.

Scientists successfully develop half metal material that conducts single-spin electrons

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have successfully created the world’s first experimentally verified two-dimensional half metal—a material that conducts electricity using electrons of just one spin type: either “spin-up” or “spin-down.” Their findings, now published as an Editors’ Suggestion in Physical Review Letters, mark a milestone in the quest for materials enabling energy-efficient spintronic that go beyond conventional electronics.

Half metals are key to spintronics: Unlike traditional conductors, half metals allow only one spin orientation to pass through. This makes them ideal candidates for spintronics, a next-generation information technology that leverages both the charge and the spin of electrons for data storage and processing. In conventional electronics, on the other hand, only the charge is used.

However, all known half metals operate only at and lose their special properties at the surface—limiting their use. This was until now, when the team at Forschungszentrum Jülich engineered a 2D half metal in the form of an ultrathin alloy of iron and palladium, just two atoms thick, on a palladium crystal. Using a state-of-the-art imaging technique called spin-resolved momentum microscopy, they showed that the alloy allows only one spin type to conduct, confirming the long-sought 2D half-metallicity.

‘Reliable quantum computing is here’: Novel approach to error-correction can reduce errors in future systems up to 1,000 times, Microsoft scientists say

Microsoft scientists developed a 4D geometric coding method that reduces errors 1,000-fold in quantum computers.

Chiral metasurfaces encode two images: One visible, one revealed by polarized light

By leveraging the concept of chirality, or the difference of a shape from its mirror image, EPFL scientists have engineered an optical metasurface that controls light to yield a simple and versatile technique for secure encryption, sensing, and computing.

Shedding new light on invisible forces: Hidden magnetic clues in everyday metals unlocked

A team of scientists has developed a powerful new way to detect subtle magnetic signals in common metals like copper, gold, and aluminum—using nothing more than light and a clever technique. Their research, recently published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for advances in everything from smartphones to quantum computing.

For over a century, scientists have known that bend in a magnetic field—a phenomenon known as the Hall effect. In like iron, this effect is strong and well understood. But in ordinary, non-magnetic metals like copper or gold, the effect is much weaker.

In theory, a related phenomenon—the optical Hall effect—should help scientists visualize how electrons behave when light and magnetic fields interact. But at , this effect has remained far too subtle to detect. The scientific world knew it was there, but lacked the tools to measure it.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink microchip implanted into patient’s brain at University of Miami

Dr. Jagid and his team executed the implant on RJ just months ago.

“This device is completely invisible, you know, to anybody else that interacts with somebody who has it implanted. The other thing that makes it very unique is how it’s been miniaturized. It’s a very small device,” Dr. Jagid said.

During Neuralink’s summer update on the trial, they showed the moment one participant was able to move a cursor with his thoughts.