Caltech physicists have achieved a significant milestone in quantum computing by assembling a record-breaking quantum qubit array consisting of 6,100 neutral-atom qubits. This achievement, detailed in a recent publication, represents a substantial increase over previous arrays of this type, which typically contained only hundreds of qubits. The research, conducted at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, demonstrates a pathway towards building large-scale, error-corrected quantum computers – a crucial step in harnessing the potential of quantum computation for complex scientific challenges. The team, led by Professor Manuel Endres of Caltech’s physics department, utilized a novel approach involving the trapping of individual cesium atoms using highly focused laser beams, known as optical tweezers.
The construction of the array involved splitting a single laser beam into 12,000 separate tweezers, each capable of holding a single atom, ultimately resulting in a stable arrangement of 6,100 atoms held within a vacuum chamber. Graduate students Hannah Manetsch, Gyohei Nomura, and Elie Bataille played leading roles in the study. Crucially, the researchers demonstrated that scaling up the number of qubits did not compromise their quality. The qubits maintained superposition – a fundamental quantum state allowing them to represent multiple values simultaneously – for approximately 13 seconds, nearly ten times longer than previously achieved in similar arrays. Furthermore, individual qubit manipulation was performed with an accuracy of 99.98 percent.
Beyond simply increasing the scale and quality, the Caltech team also demonstrated the ability to move the atoms across the array – distances of hundreds of micrometers – while preserving their superposition. This capability is particularly significant as it facilitates more efficient error correction, a critical requirement for building robust quantum computers. Unlike superconducting qubits, which rely on fixed connections, neutral-atom qubits can be physically moved, allowing for dynamic error correction strategies. The researchers likened the process of moving the atoms while maintaining superposition to balancing a glass of water while running – a delicate task requiring precise control and stability. This work, published in September 2025, builds upon existing research in superconducting circuits, trapped ions, and other approaches to quantum computing, positioning neutral atoms as a strong contender in the race to build practical quantum computers.
Caltech Team Sets Record’s Sustained Qubit Coherence in Caltech’s Large Array
The achievement of a 6,100-qubit array at Caltech represents a substantial leap forward in neutral-atom quantum computing, demonstrating both scale and coherence previously unattainable in such systems. Professor Manuel Endres of Caltech’s physics department spearheaded the research, with key contributions from graduate students Hannah Manetsch, Gyohei Nomura, and Elie Bataille. The team successfully trapped and controlled 6,100 individual cesium atoms using an array of 12,000 highly focused laser beams – optical tweezers – within a vacuum chamber at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. This physical arrangement allowed for the creation of a large-scale quantum system capable of maintaining qubit coherence for an extended duration.
Critically, the Caltech team demonstrated that increasing the number of qubits did not necessitate a compromise in their quality. The qubits were maintained in a state of superposition – a fundamental requirement for quantum computation – for approximately 13 seconds, a figure nearly ten times longer than that achieved in comparable arrays. Furthermore, the manipulation of individual qubits was accomplished with an impressive 99.98 percent accuracy. This sustained coherence and high fidelity are essential for performing complex quantum calculations and mitigating the effects of decoherence – the loss of quantum information due to environmental interactions. The ability to maintain these parameters across such a large array distinguishes this work from previous efforts and underscores the potential of neutral-atom qubits for building practical quantum computers.
Beyond simply achieving a high qubit count and long coherence times, the Caltech researchers also demonstrated the dynamic control necessary for advanced quantum computation. They successfully moved the individual atoms across the array – distances of hundreds of micrometers – while preserving their superposition. This capability is particularly significant as it enables more efficient error correction strategies. Unlike static qubit architectures, such as those based on superconducting circuits, the ability to physically move neutral-atom qubits allows for the implementation of dynamic error correction schemes, where faulty qubits can be isolated or replaced without disrupting the entire computation. The team likened this process to balancing a glass of water while running, highlighting the precision and stability required to maintain qubit coherence during movement. This dynamic control, combined with the array’s scale and coherence, positions neutral-atom qubits as a promising platform for realizing fault-tolerant quantum computers. The findings, published in September 2025, build upon existing research in diverse quantum computing approaches and suggest a viable pathway towards building large-scale, error-corrected quantum systems.
