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A smart accelerator for qubits: Spin-orbit approach boosts both speed and stability

There are high hopes for quantum computers: they are supposed to perform specific calculations much faster than current supercomputers and, therefore, solve scientific and practical problems that are insurmountable for ordinary computers. The centerpiece of a quantum computer is the quantum bit, qubit for short, which can be realized in different ways—for instance, using the energy levels of atoms or the spins of electrons.

When making such qubits, however, researchers face a dilemma. On the one hand, a qubit needs to be isolated from its environment as much as possible. Otherwise, its quantum superpositions decay in a short time and the quantum calculations are disturbed. On the other hand, one would like to drive qubits as fast as possible in analogy with the clocking of classical bits, which requires a strong interaction with the environment.

Normally, these two conditions cannot be fulfilled at the same time, as a higher driving speed automatically entails a faster decay of the superpositions and, therefore, a shorter coherence time.

Sensing single ballistic electrons: High-speed method tracks fleeting quantum events

Researchers at NPL have reported a novel high-speed charge sensing method for ballistic electrons, a potentially useful technique in the fields of electron quantum optics, quantum electrical metrology, flying qubit technology, and signal sensing.

The study, published in Physical Review Letters, reveals that the presence of a single ballistic electron can be revealed by tracking the path of another fast-moving “sensing” electron. By steering the paths of these electrons close to each other, the tiny repulsion between them can redirect the sensing electron, like a train switching tracks or cars diverting off a freeway.

When charge sensors are used in quantum devices, they are measured continuously, with each sample long enough to resolve a signal from the noise. The NPL sensing system leverages synchronization between the detector and sensing electrons to achieve extreme time selectivity, only sampling within a minuscule time window and detecting interactions that occur in just 1–2 picoseconds.

Predicting the topological properties of quantum spin liquids using Rydberg atom lattices

Topological quantum systems are physical systems exhibiting properties that depend on the overall connectivity of their underlying lattice, as opposed to local interactions and their microscopic structure. Predicting the evolution of these systems over time and their long-range quantum correlations is often challenging, as their behavior is not defined by magnetization or other parameters linked to local interactions.

Topological spin textures: Scientists use micro-structured materials to control light propagation

Topological spin textures, spatially organized patterns linked to the intrinsic angular momentum of particles, have proved to be highly advantageous for the development of spintronics and quantum technologies. One of the most studied among these textures are skyrmionic textures, which are two-dimensional and stable patterns of spin orientation. Recently, the study of skyrmionic textures has gained significant attention in the field of optics and photonics, revealing novel physical properties and promising potential applications.

Challenging a Century-Old Belief: Scientists Rewrite the Rules of Light-Driven Chemistry

Researchers have uncovered a new mechanism in photochemistry showing that a molecule’s microenvironment can strongly influence how it reacts to light. A global team of scientists, led by researchers at QUT, is overturning a long-standing belief in photochemistry with findings that could influence

AI Revolution Could Require Us to Re-Think Money Entirely

It’s the defining technology of an era. But just how artificial intelligence (AI) will end up shaping our future remains a controversial question.

For techno-optimists, who see the technology improving our lives, it heralds a future of material abundance.

That outcome is far from guaranteed. But even if AI’s technical promise is realised – and with it, once intractable problems are solved – how will that abundance be used?

Recreating a Rare Mutation Could Grant Almost Universal Virus Immunity For Days

A rare genetic mutation appears to make people basically invulnerable to viruses – and it could potentially be harnessed as a therapy. Researchers have now shown this surprising viral protection can be replicated in mice and hamsters.

“We have yet to find a virus that can break through the therapy’s defenses [in cell culture tests],” explains Columbia University immunologist Dusan Bogunovic, who first discovered this unusual antiviral superpower 13 years ago.

The mutation, a deficiency in interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), causes a mild yet persistent inflammation across the body. Examining patients’ immune cells revealed they’d had the usual run of encounters with flu, measles, chickenpox, and mumps, yet they’d never reported feeling particularly ill as a result.

Noodlophile Malware Campaign Expands Global Reach with Copyright Phishing Lures

But the latest iteration of the Noodlophile attacks exhibits notable deviation, particularly when it comes to the use of legitimate software vulnerabilities, obfuscated staging via Telegram, and dynamic payload execution.

It all starts with a phishing email that seeks to trick employees into downloading and running malicious payloads by inducing a false sense of urgency, claiming copyright violations on specific Facebook Pages. The messages originate from Gmail accounts in an effort to evade suspicion.

Present within the message is a Dropbox link that drops a ZIP or MSI installer, which, in turn, sideloads a malicious DLL using legitimate binaries associated with Haihaisoft PDF Reader to ultimately launch the obfuscated Noodlophile stealer, but not before running batch scripts to establish persistence using Windows Registry.

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