LE13372AR
- Thanks to advances in experimental design, physicists have achieved a
record-low probability of error in quantum information processing with
a single quantum bit (qubit) - the first published error rate below
the theoretical threshold for building viable quantum computers. A
quantum computer could potentially solve certain problems that are
intractable using today’s technology, even supercomputers. The NIST
experiment, with a single beryllium ion qubit, is a milestone for
simple quantum logic operations, demonstrating a probability of error
of only 1 per 50,000 logic operations. For comparison, one error per
10,000 logic operations is a commonly agreed upon target for a low
enough error rate to use error correction protocols in a quantum
computer. However, a working quantum computer will also require
two-qubit logic operations with comparably low error rates. The record
low error rate was made possible by two changes in the group’s
experimental set-up. First, the scientists manipulated the ion using
microwaves instead of the usual laser beams. Second, the ion trap was
placed inside a copper vacuum chamber and cooled to 4.2 K with a
helium bath to reduce errors caused by magnetic field fluctuations in
the lab.
