The study of electron-on-solid-neon qubits has made significant strides, as recent research led by Professor Wei Guo from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has revealed. This research, published in Physical Review Letters, focuses on the quantum state dynamics and design of these qubits.
The research team discovered that small bumps on the surface of solid neon in the qubit can naturally bind electrons, creating ring-shaped quantum states. These quantum states describe the properties of electrons, such as position, momentum, and other characteristics, before they are measured. The alignment of the electron’s transition energy with the energy of microwave photons allows for precise manipulation of the electron, which is essential for quantum computing.
Professor Guo emphasized that this work significantly advances our understanding of the electron-trapping mechanism on a promising quantum computing platform. The extended coherence time of the electron-on-solid-neon qubit can be attributed to the inertness and purity of solid neon, making it a promising candidate for practical quantum computing solutions.
However, further optimization of the qubit performance is necessary. Designers aim to create qubits with minimal naturally occurring bumps on the surface that attract disruptive background electrical charge while intentionally fabricating bumps of the correct size within the microwave resonator on the qubit improves the ability to trap electrons.
The research highlights the importance of studying different conditions affecting neon qubit manufacturing to achieve more precise fabrication and move closer to quantum computing that can solve currently unmanageable calculations. The study was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
