In a remarkable achievement, engineers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have successfully operated quantum processors at temperatures 20 times warmer than previously possible. This groundbreaking development paves the way for more powerful, cost-effective, and energy-efficient quantum computing systems.
The research, conducted under the umbrella of UNSW spin-out Diraq, demonstrated the viability of ‘hot qubits,’ a concept previously thought to be theoretical. Qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information, can now function at temperatures above one Kelvin, approximately -272 degrees Celsius.
Jonathan Huang, the lead author and a PhD student at UNSW and Research Associate at Diraq, emphasized the significance of this breakthrough. “Traditional quantum computing systems require cooling to extremely low temperatures, very close to absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius). At higher temperatures, the qubits falter, rendering the technology impractical,” Huang explained. “This new research demonstrates high-accuracy spin-based quantum computation at temperatures above one Kelvin, compatible with conventional electronics operations.”
Traditional quantum computing systems rely on extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero, to maintain stability and accuracy. However, this necessitates complex and expensive cooling mechanisms. By enabling quantum processors to operate at significantly warmer temperatures, engineers have overcome a major hurdle in the development of quantum computing technology.
Diraq’s innovative hardware, constructed using a novel technology known as spins in silicon, addresses the scale-up challenge in quantum computing to reach millions of qubits. UNSW Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, highlighted the company’s unique approach. “While our quantum processors still require refrigeration, the costs and complexity of the overall system are dramatically reduced at these elevated temperatures,” said Dzurak.
Dr. Henry Yang, Head of Quantum Control at Diraq and lead author of a previous paper on ‘hot qubits,’ explained the team’s meticulous exploration of physical parameters to achieve high-accuracy qubit control, initialization, and readout at elevated temperatures.
The implications of this breakthrough are far-reaching. Quantum computing is expected to have transformative applications in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, materials science, finance, logistics, weather forecasting, and energy management. By enabling quantum processors to operate at warmer temperatures, this research paves the way for more practical and accessible quantum computing systems.
The study, published in the prestigious Nature journal, represents a significant step forward in the quest for practical and scalable quantum computing. As the field continues to evolve, breakthroughs like these bring us closer to realizing the full potential of quantum technology and unlocking new frontiers in scientific discovery and technological innovation.
