In a major development for the longer term of quantum computing, researchers on the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Group laboratory in University College Cork (UCC) have made a groundbreaking discovery using considered one of the world’s strongest quantum microscopes. The team has identified a spatially modulating superconducting state in a brand new and strange superconductor, Uranium Ditelluride (UTe2), which could potentially address considered one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges.

The Power of Superconductors

Superconductors are materials that allow electricity to flow with zero resistance, meaning they do not dissipate any energy despite carrying a big current. This is feasible because, as a substitute of individual electrons moving through the metal, pairs of electrons bind together to form a macroscopic quantum mechanical fluid.

Lead writer of the paper, Joe Carroll, a PhD researcher working with UCC Prof. of Quantum Physics Séamus Davis, explains, “What our team found was that a number of the electron pairs form a brand new crystal structure embedded on this background fluid. These kind of states were first discovered by our group in 2016 and are actually called Electron Pair-Density Waves. These Pair Density Waves are a brand new type of superconducting matter the properties of which we’re still discovering.”

A Recent Variety of Superconductor

What makes UTe2 particularly exciting is that it appears to be a brand new style of superconductor. The pairs of electrons in UTe2 appear to have intrinsic angular momentum. If that is true, then the UCC team has detected the primary Pair-Density Wave composed of those exotic pairs of electrons.

Carroll elaborates, “What is especially exciting for us and the broader community is that UTe2 appears to be a brand new style of superconductor. Physicists have been looking for a cloth prefer it for nearly 40 years.”

Implications for Quantum Computing

Quantum computers depend on quantum bits or qubits to store and manipulate information. Nonetheless, the quantum state of those qubits is well destroyed, limiting the appliance of quantum computers.

UTe2, nonetheless, is a special style of superconductor that would have huge consequences for quantum computing. It could potentially be used as a basis for topological quantum computing, where there isn’t a limit on the lifetime of the qubit during computation. This might open up many latest ways for more stable and useful quantum computers.

Carroll explains, “There are indications that UTe2 is a special style of superconductor that would have huge consequences for quantum computing… In such materials there isn’t a limit on the lifetime of the qubit during computation opening up many latest ways for more stable and useful quantum computers.”

The invention by the UCC team provides one other piece to the puzzle of UTe2. Understanding the elemental superconducting properties of materials like UTe2 is crucial for developing practical quantum computers. Carroll concludes, “What we have discovered then provides one other piece to the puzzle of UTe2. To make applications using materials like this we must understand their fundamental superconducting properties. All of contemporary science moves step-by-step. We’re delighted to have contributed to the understanding of a cloth which could bring us closer to way more practical quantum computers.”