University of Surrey designs superfluid helium qubit to cut errors by 100x

Researchers at the University of Surrey have designed a novel qubit based on superfluid helium-3, predicting error rates 100 times lower than those of conventional superconducting qubits. The proposed device, named the Superfluid Helium Oscillator Quantum (SHOQ), uniquely combines microfluidics with charge-neutral superfluid helium to potentially bypass vulnerabilities to electromagnetic noise.

“We are not the first to think about the individual components behind this idea, but what we have done for the first time is bring them together in a microfluidic device and work out the specific details that could enable the device to function as a qubit,” explains Dr. Priya Sharma, Research Fellow in Hybrid Quantum Systems. The team’s calculations, published in npj Quantum Information, suggest this design could offer a pathway toward more stable and scalable quantum computing.

Superfluid Helium Oscillator Quantum (SHOQ) Device Design

This predicted reduction stems from the device’s core material; superfluid helium-3, a unique liquid state exhibiting frictionless flow, forms the basis of the newly proposed qubit design. The team detailed a microfluidic architecture integrating previously explored components, specifying functionality within a complete qubit system for the first time. The SHOQ device uses charge-neutral superfluid helium, a characteristic the researchers believe will provide inherent immunity to certain electromagnetic interference sources.

This design represents the first reported proposal for a qubit built upon superfluid principles, moving beyond theoretical consideration to a detailed conceptual framework. The team’s published work in npj Quantum Information outlines the parameters and specifications necessary for constructing a functional SHOQ device, building upon established knowledge of both superfluid helium and existing quantum technologies.

These calculations indicate a pathway toward significantly improved qubit stability and coherence, potentially addressing a critical bottleneck in the development of scalable quantum computers. The researchers assert the mathematics supports the feasibility of their design, offering a promising new direction for quantum hardware development.

Predicted 100x Error Reduction with Superfluid Qubits

Calculations detailed in npj Quantum Information suggest the Superfluid Helium Oscillator Quantum (SHOQ) device could achieve error rates significantly below those of current superconducting qubits. The University of Surrey team predicts their design will deliver performance with error rates one hundred times lower, a figure stemming from the unique properties of superfluid helium-3. This unusual liquid state exhibits frictionless flow, potentially shielding the qubit from disruptive electromagnetic noise that plagues conventional systems.

Dr. Eran Ginossar, Associate Professor and Associate Head for Research & Innovation, explains that diverse quantum technologies may ultimately be necessary, stating, “We don’t necessarily need one type of qubit to do everything. If experimental validation confirms the predicted performance, the SHOQ device could function alongside superconducting qubits within a larger, more robust quantum system.” Ginossar adds that superfluid helium gives us a fundamentally different type of quantum hardware to explore, suggesting a future where multiple qubit types collaborate to overcome current limitations.

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