Scientists Seek to Make Quantum Computers More Robust Against Cosmic Radiation

Quantum computers hold immense promise for solving complex problems in fields like medicine, finance, and materials science. However, their fragile nature makes them susceptible to cosmic radiation, which can limit their lifetime and performance. Researchers at Fermilab are working to understand how cosmic radiation impacts superconducting qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers. By studying the effects of cosmic radiation on these delicate components, scientists aim to develop more robust quantum computers that can withstand the harsh conditions of space and time. This breakthrough research has significant implications for the development of practical applications for quantum computing, revolutionizing various fields of science and technology.

Quantum computers are fragile devices that can be affected by cosmic radiation, which limits their lifetime and performance. Scientists at Fermilab have been working to understand how cosmic radiation affects superconducting qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers. The goal is to build more robust quantum computers that can withstand the effects of cosmic radiation.

The Fermilab team has developed two detectors: QUIET (Quantum Underground Instrumentation Experimental Testbed) and LOUD (Large Observations Under Diffuse). QUIET is a new detector located 100 meters underground, while LOUD began operations in 2022 on the surface. The differences between the observations of these two detectors will allow researchers to assess how cosmic radiation affects qubit performance.

Quantum researchers realized about four years ago that cosmic radiation limits the lifetime of superconducting qubits. When cosmic radiation interacts with a qubit, it causes decoherence, a process in which the delicate quantum state collapses and the qubit loses its stored information. This renders qubits unusable in quantum computers.

The Fermilab team is using superconducting qubits built with circuit loops that carry Cooper pairs, indirectly bound electrons that act as individual particles. Google, IBM, Microsoft, and other companies have chosen to build their quantum computers with superconducting qubits, each requiring hundreds to thousands of them. Scaling up systems requires figuring out radiation’s role in qubit errors.

Cosmic radiation can cause decoherence, rendering qubits unusable in quantum computers. When cosmic radiation interacts with a qubit, it causes energy deposits that disrupt the delicate quantum state of the qubit. This can lead to errors and limit the lifetime of superconducting qubits.

Scientists at Fermilab are using two detectors, QUIET and LOUD, to study how cosmic radiation affects qubits. The differences between the observations of these two detectors will allow researchers to assess how cosmic radiation affects qubit performance. By understanding how cosmic radiation interacts with qubits, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate its effects.

The Fermilab team is using superconducting qubits built with circuit loops that carry Cooper pairs, indirectly bound electrons that act as individual particles. Google, IBM, Microsoft, and other companies have chosen to build their quantum computers with superconducting qubits, each requiring hundreds to thousands of them. Scaling up systems requires figuring out radiation’s role in qubit errors.

QUIET (Quantum Underground Instrumentation Experimental Testbed) is a new detector located 100 meters underground, while LOUD (Large Observations Under Diffuse) began operations in 2022 on the surface. The differences between the observations of these two detectors will allow researchers to assess how cosmic radiation affects qubit performance.

QUIET uses superconducting qubits built with circuit loops that carry Cooper pairs, indirectly bound electrons that act as individual particles. LOUD measures high-energy particle interactions and differentiates between radiation sources by assessing how much energy dissipates across the qubits. Muons deposit several gigaelectron volts deep in a substrate and can cause multiple qubits to malfunction, whereas beta particles deposit only a few megaelectron volts on the surface and cause localized errors.

Scientists will first test qubits at LOUD and then transfer the samples to QUIET to replicate the experiment in an environment with a 99.5% reduction in muon flux. This will allow scientists to look for energy deposits from gamma rays and other products of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes, which can disrupt qubit performance.

The Fermilab team is using superconducting qubits built with circuit loops that carry Cooper pairs, indirectly bound electrons that act as individual particles. Google, IBM, Microsoft, and other companies have chosen to build their quantum computers with superconducting qubits, each requiring hundreds to thousands of them. Scaling up systems requires figuring out radiation’s role in qubit errors.

The Fermilab team’s research has significant implications for quantum computing. By understanding how cosmic radiation affects qubits, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate its effects and build more robust quantum computers.

Quantum researchers realized about four years ago that cosmic radiation limits the lifetime of superconducting qubits. When cosmic radiation interacts with a qubit, it causes decoherence, a process in which the delicate quantum state collapses and the qubit loses its stored information. This renders qubits unusable in quantum computers.

The Fermilab team is using two detectors, QUIET and LOUD, to study how cosmic radiation affects qubits. The differences between the observations of these two detectors will allow researchers to assess how cosmic radiation affects qubit performance. By understanding how cosmic radiation interacts with qubits, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate its effects.

The Fermilab team’s research is just one part of a larger effort to understand and mitigate the effects of cosmic radiation on quantum computers. Scientists are working to develop new materials and technologies that can withstand the effects of cosmic radiation.

Quantum researchers realized about four years ago that cosmic radiation limits the lifetime of superconducting qubits. When cosmic radiation interacts with a qubit, it causes decoherence, a process in which the delicate quantum state collapses and the qubit loses its stored information. This renders qubits unusable in quantum computers.

The Fermilab team is using two detectors, QUIET and LOUD, to study how cosmic radiation affects qubits. The differences between the observations of these two detectors will allow researchers to assess how cosmic radiation affects qubit performance. By understanding how cosmic radiation interacts with qubits, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate its effects.

The Fermilab team’s research has significant implications for quantum computing. By understanding how cosmic radiation affects qubits, scientists can develop strategies to mitigate its effects and build more robust quantum computers.

Quantum researchers realized about four years ago that cosmic radiation limits the lifetime of superconducting qubits. When cosmic radiation interacts with a qubit, it causes decoherence, a process in which the delicate quantum state collapses and the qubit loses its stored information. This renders qubits unusable in quantum computers.